My dad was recently diagnosed with “early stage” oesophageal cancer following an EMR after previously being told he had high-grade dysplasia following an initial endoscopy.  He is awaiting another EMR in the new year for the surgeons to try and remove all the cancer without the need for major surgery which we were informed is “life-changing”.

My dad and I are both confused as the main thing my dad is struggling with is swallowing food and quite often he has quite bad choking episodes.  The consultant has told us this is a separate issue and he was referred to ENT.  At this initial appointment, my dad was told that his throat is inflamed and this is what is causing the issue with swallowing.  He has a further appointment after Christmas with ENT.

I have looked up a lot online about oesophageal cancer and read that difficulty swallowing is a common symptom so am a bit confused by the doctor’s comments that this is a separate issue.  My dad is also quite confused as to why cancer in the oesophageal region would cause such a problem in the throat and is convinced there is an obstruction there which the medical experts are missing.  I am convinced the two are linked because of what I have read online but am having trouble articulating this to him.  He has rung his GP and the nurses at the hospital and can’t seem to get a straightforward answer.

If the two are indeed separate, then I am inclined to advise my dad to get a private appointment at least to get the swallowing issue sorted a lot quicker as this is really getting him down and he has suffered from mental health problems in the past and I don’t want him going down that road again if it can be avoided.  Very sadly, my mum had a tragic accident and died from a brain haemorrhage last year.  My dad has never got over this and so I am trying to support him as much as possible with his treatment.

If anyone has any advice on the above, I would be very grateful.

Many thanks in advance.