Many years ago, I was diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus, which is damaged tissue in my oesophagus caused from excess acid from my stomach. I was subsequently medicated for this excess acid, and then had regular endoscopies every few years to ensure the damaged cells don’t mutate.
In November 2023, I had a routine endoscopy which showed a small polyp grow near the damaged tissues. Biopsies revealed it was low-dysplasia and needed to be kept an eye on. Early in 2024, I had another endoscopy and the consultant said it would be best to remove this. In April 2024, I had a further follow up appointment to confirm the polyp had evolved in to high-dysplasia and a date will be set soon to have it removed.
On the 7th June 2024, I had a straight forward procedure to remove the polyp from my oesophagus under sedation. It was quick and easy, and was back to work the following day. The follow up procedure after this removal was some laser treatment to kill off any mutated cells.
On 11th July 2024, I was called in to the Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) in Guildford to see a consultant. He informed me that the polyp had already evolved in to cancer. It has spread in to the lower tissue and muscle area of my oesophagus. Further discovery needed to be conducted to determine if it had spread to my lymph nodes and other organs.
Week beginning 15th July, I had a CT Scan, PET-CT Scan, Endoscopy Ultrasound and a series of blood tests.
On Tuesday 23rd July, my wife and I met with the consultant who explained the cancer had not spread any further, but surgery will be required to remove the damaged oesophogus.
On Monday 29th July, I’m scheduled to go in to RSCH to have a “Robotic assisted two stage Oesophagectomy“.