My Father inlaw has a breathing tube in his throat, he has been diagnosed with esophagus cancer, he also has a feeding tube in his stomach-has taken about 10 bouts of radiations on the esophagus, he has looks like skin with blood in a ball, several of them, they have caused him to be unable to breath.  He almost died this a.m.--what is causing these balls of skin with blood, is it the breathing tube.  The Dr.s just look at us like we are stupid because he has cancer, we are aware of that, we really think he is going to die from all of this and understand that part-Can you help us out-    Thanks-Carla
Hi thanks for posting your query. I feel extremely sorry for the state, your father-in-law is currently experiencing. Cancer esophagus is associated with extremely poor outcomes irrespective of any treatment protocols.it tends to present with certain complications most important o which is dysphagia/difficulty in swallowing. THE BALLS OF BLOOD AND SKIN WHICH YOU MENTIONED are a mixture of cancerous necrotic growths, blood,mucous, foo particles etc. They continuously generate as a part of the progressive disease process, they can occasionally block the feeding tube as well as the breathing tube, compromising the airway. This is actually not considered a good sign. This can worsen as well due to concomitant radiation.stenting of the diseased esophagus can be of help, in clearing the diseased balls of tissue. Consult an expert oncosurgeon for further information. Thank you.