My mum had an Endoscopy yesterday morning which showed a "likely malignant" stricture of possibly 24cm.
I have been awake since 4am doing research (not the kind of scaremongering googling, I am helping myself to understand so I can support her in the best way possible). From my understanding, it is very unlikely that the doctors would have put this in the report and told my mum and dad that it was likely cancer if the chances of it being that were low. Of course, the biopsy will give the 100% truth.
In terms of the measurement I can only assume its due to the limited visibility they experienced during the endoscopy. Perhaps it was 24cm of the esophagus that they were unable to see as the stricture was in the middle. I only know what I've read so far but I'm guessing this could mean there's a cancerous tumour of some size in the middle or perhaps it started at the bottom and has grown in size and now is at the middle to bottom of her esophagus? She has GERD and has had difficulties swallowing hence the tests.
I've seen a few stories of later stages / inoperable cases where they have lived many years. I want to maintain hope. She only had her first grandchild (my son) 4 months ago. She deserves to see him grow up even if its only his much younger years. She gave up drinking 11 years ago and smoking not long after that. This can't defeat her. She's already fought so much. She is only 61 years old, I am not even 30 yet. I cannot comprehend.
Please share your experiences. We are at the beginning of our journey but I am creating a guide to tell her all the possibilities and share hope with her.
Is it possible their diagnosis of likely malignant could be wrong, even though the stricture hid visibility of most of her esophagus?
UPDATE
CT scan now booked for this Thursday and consultation on Monday with all results hopefully.
Glad it's progressing quickly but very overwhelming and scary. They couldn't get the camera down due to strictre
