Esophagus is the pipe which
takes food from the mouth to the stomach. It usually affects people
above the age of fifty-five years. Since the outcome of oesophageal
cancer is not good, anyone suspected of Oesophageal Cancer should be
diagnosed at the earliest.
For instance, one with a new
onset of dysphagia of less than fifty-five years of age need to be
diagnosed.
Like any other cancers,
Oesophageal Caner arise from the innermost cell lining of the
Oesophagus. In upper, two-third of Oesophagus is usually Squamous
cell cancer while in the lower, one-third of Oesophagus is
Adenocarcinoma.
There
are Numerous Risk Factors for Oesophageal Cancer:
Age:
Common in people less than fifty-five years of age
Diet:
High fat or processed food are the risk factors
Smoking
Alcohol
Where we live:
Common in China
GERD/GORD:
Long term infalmmation can lead to cancer in theone-third where
initially the cells change nature because of reflux of acid
(Barrrett’s Oesophagus). One in hundreds of these conditions can
turn to cancer.
Chemical carcinogens: Long
term exposure to chemical carcinogens (Specific to India like
Tobacco/Gutka/Thambaku)
Symptoms of Oesophageal
Cancer Include:
Difficulty in swallowing
(Dysphagia): Commonest
symptom. Seventy-five percent Oesophagus has be occluded by the
Oesophagus for one who experiences Dysphagia. Hence, more than
fifty-five percent of people have advanced diseases at the time of
diagnosis.
Vomiting: Especially
after food
Painful swallowing
(Odynophagia)
Weight loss
Vomiting blood
(Haemetemesis)
Hoarse voice
Confirming whether one has
Oesophageal Cancer is done by Gastroscopy (Type of Endoscopy) and
biopsy. Once the cancer is confirmed with biopsy one has to be
assessed for stage of the cancer which is usually done by CT scan of
chest, abdomen and pelvis. One might also need Endoscopic Ultrasound
or PET CT and this would be decided by the treating specialist on
individual basis.
One or combination of above
tests would tell us whether the cancer is confined to Oesophagus or
it has spread to other parts. It would also tell us to which part of
the body cancer has spread to. This process is called staging.
Treatment of the cancer depends on the stage of the cancer.
Read Full Article:
Esophageal
Cancer
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