Am I at risk for stomach cancer symptoms at 43?

Question

Hi doctor,

I will be honest and say this is primarily for reassurance from a fear of esophageal and stomach cancer, as I suffer very badly from chronic hypochondriasis, for which I am getting treatment in the form of CBT and on Venlafaxine 225 mg. I am a 43-year-old male. I was a social smoker till my 30s and nothing since. I watch my alcohol intake and had 6 months of abstinence in the 1st half of last year. I am 5'11", 12 stone and active.

Over 8 years, I have occasionally got food stuck, normally chicken or steak, when I have been shoveling it down. Three years ago, I got a piece of steak stuck and had to go to A&E. This was eventually removed with the aid of a gastroscope and was embarrassingly very large. As part of this, they noticed some inflammation and took a number of biopsies as the doctor suspected I had eosinophilic esophagitis. However, they all turned up completely clear. I was prescribed 20 mg Omeprazole.

Last year, following a fear I had seen blood in the stool, I got very anxious and ended up having a colonoscopy. This was also completely clear. This year, during Christmas, I overindulged a little and on Christmas day got a piece of turkey temporarily stuck, although some water got it down. For some reason, though, I then began convincing myself I had esophageal cancer or even stomach cancer.

This has led to a number of follow-on symptoms like a bit of pain behind my breastbone, belching, getting obsessed with swallowing my own spit and becoming more anxious. I went to see my GP. I explained to her all my above symptoms, though no vomiting, weight loss, cough, etc. She did a very thorough physical examination, felt for obstructions, tapped my chest cavity and listened to my stomach gurgling.

After all of these, she said there was absolutely no risk of me having esophageal cancer and told me to up the Omeprazole for a month and relax, then see her again. However, I am still scared I now have stomach cancer, as I do not think any biopsies were done in that area.

Please tell me that I do not have stomach or esophageal cancer.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your symptoms require evaluation as this could be simply gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause reflux and stucking of food.

Since your endoscopy and biopsy reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) are concerned, they are all not suggestive of esophageal carcinoma.

In my opinion, you should go ahead with a barium swallow study. It is a simple test and would evaluate any evidence of strictures or constriction, if any, over the esophagus.

However, a biopsy revealing esophagitis with no evidence of malignancy clears you of the presence of any cancer at present.

In acid reflux disease, a combination of Omeprazole and Domperidone helps greatly.

You should take a soft, bland diet as spicy food aggravates acidity. In case of acute pain, you can take an antiflatulent syrup.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

What happens tomorrow cannot be determined today. A person who has never had any symptoms in their life could get cancer.

When your reports are negative, you do not need to worry.

Tell me, do you have any weight loss? Do you consume excess alcohol or any painkillers for any purpose?

Revert back with the answer for more information.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.