ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Esophageal cancer is among the many types of cancer that is  treatable but rarely curable. It occurs when cancer cells develop in the esophagus or the hollow tube that leads from one’s throat (pharynx) to one’s stomach. When you eat, the food goes to your stomach through the esophagus.

 

Cancer begins at the inner layer of the esophagus when cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. These changes make cells grow, forming a mass of tissue (tumor) that can later enlarge and spread throughout the other layers of the esophagus and other body parts.

 

According to Cleveland Clinic, esophageal cancer ranks among the 10 most common cancers in the world. In the United States, esophageal cancer accounts for 1% of cancers diagnosed and is the seventh most common cause of cancer death among men.

TYPES

Esophageal cancer has two main types depending on the type of cells involved: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. 

 

  • Squamous cells

These are flat and thin cells that line the inner part of the esophagus. Cancer developed from these cells can occur along with the upper and middle parts of your esophagus. This type is the most frequent esophageal cancer around the world.

 

This kind of cancer develops in the gland cells. The squamous cells that line the esophagus are replaced by gland cells. Adenocarcinoma normally takes place in the lower esophagus and near the stomach. This esophageal cancer type is the most common in the United States, particularly affecting white men.

 

Rare types of esophageal cancer 

  • Choriocarcinoma
  • Lymphoma
  • Melanoma
  • Sarcoma
  • Small cell carcinoma

 

SYMPTOMS

 

The symptoms of esophageal cancer are not that visible during the early stage but some signs and symptoms include:

  • Dysphagia or the difficulty swallowing
  • Weight loss
  • Chest pains (behind the breastbone)
  • Coughing and hoarseness
  • Indigestion and heartburn

 

Risk Factors

 

The severe irritation of the esophagus can contribute to the cause of esophageal cancer. These are some of the factors that can cause irritation in the cells of the esophagus and can increase the esophageal cancer risk:

 

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bile reflux
  • Barrett’s esophagus or precancerous changes in the cells of one’s esophagus
  • Achalasia or difficulty swallowing
  • Smoking and drinking alcohol
  • The constant habit of drinking very hot liquids or beverages
  • Not enough fruits and vegetables
  • Obesity
  • Undergoing radiation treatment to the chest or upper abdomen

DIAGNOSIS

 

Certain tests that could be done to determine if you have esophageal cancers

  • Barium swallow X-ray wherein you need to drink a liquid that coats your esophagus so it can stand out on the X-ray for the doctors to determine any problems.
  • Endoscopy wherein a thin, lighted tube passes down your throat into the esophagus to examine it. The sound waves from the endoscopic ultrasound will give more information on the extent of tumor involvement in nearby structures.
  • Biopsy wherein cells or tissue from your esophagus will be taken out during the endoscopy and will later be examined under a microscope to check the presence of cancer cells. 

 

There are other tests like computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, thoracoscopy, and laparoscopy that can also be conducted to determine whether cancer has spread throughout the esophagus. This process is called staging. The doctors need to obtain and analyze the information needed to plan the patient’s treatment.

 

TREATMENT

 

Just like any other type of cancer, esophageal cancer treatment can be more successful if diagnosed early. There are different ways to treat esophageal cancer and that includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy, and electrocoagulation.

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