Rigid Esophagoscopy

[thelewisgang]

I have had a swelling in my thyroid gland since the middle of last year which causes a troublesome cough, breathlessness and occasional choking. I have had ultrasound scans and a CT scan which showed multinodular hemi thyroid but it appears the nodules are quite small & was told it unlikely they would cause my problems.
Earlier this year, in May, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and underwent a right hemicolectomy in July but had lots of throat/neck check ups before because of the risks.
A few weeks ago I had a barium swallow which again showed various things including GERD. I have never had trouble with indigestion, burping etc & have been on omeprazole for several months.
I saw a consultant yesterday who got another ultrasound done plus he looked at my throat with a flexible tube up my nose & into my throat. I have small nasal polyps too.
He then decided to speak to me about a Rigid Esophagoscopy procedure because he wanted to look at the oesophagus & gullet & take biopsies because of my recent bowel cancer. I have been offered this on 10th November but he told me more than once there are several risks and one is that I wouldn't wake up from the anaesthetic. Is this procedure really such a risk? He told me several times I might not survive. Obviously this is a huge concern and I am really not sure if the risk of death is worth taking the chance of having it done.
I am generally in good health & recovered exceptionally well from my bowel surgery. I really don't know what to do

[Buenchico]

Hopefully Sqad will be along soon, as this falls within his medical specialism.

While you're waiting for him, I'll you this link for a bit of background info:
https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/For_Clinicians/departments_ruh/ent/documents/rigid_upper_endoscopy.pdf

[Cloverjo]

Ask your consultant if the risks outweigh the benefits.
Don’t look on Google.

[thelewisgang]

Thanks for the link Buenchico which I will look at shortly.
Cloverjo I did ask the consultant but all he said was he'd like to have a good look under general anaesetic but repeated himself several times that I might not come through the procedure.

[Sqad]

I cannot understand the need for a rigid endoscopy and I certainly do not agree with his comments.

The C-T scans have given us reassurance of the nature of the neck nodules and the bowel cancer would be extremely unlikely to spread to the neck glands.

Rigid oesophagoscopy is as safe as any surgical procedure.

If I were in your position......I would "monitor the situation".....for quite a long time.

[thelewisgang]

thank you Sqad. I appreciate your reply. I think I will monitor my situation for the time being. It is a worry though with the choking episodes I get plus the cough.
Just to add when I looked at the NHS app earlier there were comments on there from this consultant, dated yesterday. He stated he had performed a fine needle aspiration. What!! He most certainly did not and I will ask my GP practice how I go about getting this comment removed.

[Thisoldbird]

I'd be inclined to change your consultant ...he would scare me with his comments and lies on your notes!!