Esophageal Cancer is a cancer that happens
in the esophagus and may occur at any place along its path. More men than women
are affected by this cancer
What
is Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer is described as cancer
when cells within the inner wall of the esophagus mutate and multiply rapidly
forming tumor. Types of esophageal cancer are:
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma — it
affects the squamous cells that line the inner wall of the upper and
mid-portion of the esophagus.
Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus — it
affects the glandular cells that found in the lower third of the esophagus.
Adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal
junction (GE junction) — it is a particular subset of esophageal cancer found
at the meeting point of the esophagus and the stomach.
What
are the causes of Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancers take place when changes
happened in DNA of cells that constitute the esophagus.
Squamous cell cancer of the esophagus is more associated with consumption of alcohol and tobacco product. Consuming both at a time causes more risk of this cancer.
Adenocarcinoma in the lower third of the
esophagus is more connected with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). When
acid backwashes from the stomach into the lower esophagus and not treated for a
considerable period of time the disease may damage the cell of that region
causing a growth of cancer cell.
Adenocarcinoma of the GE junction is
related to cancer that arises very close to the GE junction, either at the
upper stomach region or at the lower esophagus region.
Barrett’s esophagus demonstrates abnormal
dysplasia that probably is a precursor of the development mutation of cells
causing malignancy.
What
are the symptoms of Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer does not reveal any symptom as such until it grows larger to make difficult to pass food through it. However, following symptoms demand immediate consultation with the doctor for further investigation for diagnosis of esophagus cancer.
Dysphagia, it is a problem related to
swallowing of solid food and even liquid.
Chronic gastroesophageal reflux with
heartburn, indigestion may lead to adenocarcinoma.
Weight loss with blood vomiting, the
passing of black stool
Experience of abnormal voice change due to
damage to the vocal cord may also indicate growth of tumor in the esophagus.
What
are the treatments for Esophageal Cancer?
Treatment of cancer is individualized to
the condition of the patient. However, the recommended treatments are as
follows:
Surgery may involve removal of entire
esophagus or esophagectomy. If a patient is not in a position to a removal of
the whole esophagus, an esophageal stent may be placed across the tumour block
to allow eating.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be
administered before and after the surgery.
Targeted therapy, endoscopic treatments,
and photodynamic therapy are also the treatment procedure for esophagus cancer
depending on the necessity of the patients.
Dr. G. Parthasarathy
Sr. Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology,
Laparoscopic & Hepato-Pancreaticobiliary Surgery
KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad.