Long-Standing Acidity Reveals Food-Pipe Tumour in 54-Year-Old Woman; Both Conditions Treated in One Sitting, First Such Case in Noida
Noida, Sep 23: What initially appeared to be another episode of long-standing acidity led to the discovery of a tumour in the food pipe in a 54-year-old Delhi-NCR woman after she developed difficulty swallowing solid food. At Kailash Hospital, Sector 71, Noida, doctors removed the 1.5 cm growth and treated her persistent acid reflux through a single minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. According to the treating team, this is the first such procedure reported in Noida combining removal of an esophageal tumour with endoscopic treatment for reflux in one sitting.
Mrs. Sandhya, a homemaker, had a history of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the food pipe. Despite treatment, her symptoms remained persistent. Three months before the procedure, she developed Grade 1 dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing solid foods, prompting further evaluation.
An upper GI endoscopy found a 1.5 cm growth beneath the inner lining of the food pipe at the junction of the mid-to-lower esophagus, along with mild GERD and laxity of the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve that helps prevent acid from flowing back. An endoscopic ultrasound suggested a distal esophageal leiomyoma, a usually benign tumour arising from muscle tissue, which was later confirmed as benign after removal with clear margins. After discussing surgical and endoscopic options with the patient and her family, she opted for the less invasive endoscopic approach, allowing the tumour and her persistent acid reflux to be treated in the same procedure.
Dr. Arun Iyer, Sr. Consultant – Gastroenterology, Kailash Hospital & Neuro Institute, Sector 71, Noida, said,
“What made this case particularly significant was the presence of two separate problems requiring treatment: a 1.5 cm benign tumour in the esophagus and refractory GERD associated with lower esophageal sphincter laxity. After evaluating the lesion and discussing both surgical and endoscopic options with the patient and her family, we were able to use a minimally invasive endoscopic approach to completely remove the tumour and address the reflux during the same sitting. The lesion was removed in one piece with clear margins, while the anti-reflux procedure addressed the underlying reflux mechanism. The uncomplicated recovery, early return to a full diet and discharge the following day demonstrate the potential of advanced endoscopic techniques to manage appropriately selected patients while reducing the need for separate interventions.”
The 50-minute procedure was performed under general anaesthesia, with the tumour completely removed in one piece using ESD and a TT knife. NBI was used to assess the margins; the mucosal defect was closed with six hemoclips, and ARMA was performed to treat her refractory GERD and LES laxity. There were no reported complications. She resumed a full diet within 24 hours and was discharged the next day. At one-month follow-up, she was asymptomatic, with significant improvement in GERD-related quality of life and no residual tumour or endoscopic evidence of GERD.
The case reflects Kailash Hospital’s capabilities in advanced therapeutic endoscopy and its multidisciplinary approach to managing complex gastrointestinal conditions. The successful combination of tumour removal and anti-reflux treatment in a single procedure also highlights the hospital’s focus on minimally invasive treatment options aimed at reducing procedural burden and supporting faster recovery for appropriately selected patients.