Esophageal Cancer
Best Esophageal Cancer Specialists in Delhi NCR
Everything You Need To Know About Esophageal Cancer
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Esophageal cancer opens a pop-up dialog
Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus. Esophageal cancer is a long hollow tube that extends from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus helps to transfer the swallowed food from the back of the throat to the stomach for digestion.
Esophageal cancer usually starts in cells inside the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere in the esophagus. More men than women suffer from esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in the world. The incidence rate varies in different geographic locations. In some areas, the higher incidence of esophageal cancer may be due to smoking and drinking or specific nutritional habits and obesity.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:
- Dysphagia (dysphagia)
- Lose weight without trying
- Chest pain, pressure or burning
- Worsening indigestion or heartburn
- Cough or hoarse voice
- Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause any signs or symptoms.
If you have symptoms and signs that continue to bother you, please make an appointment with Cancer Specialist in Delhi NCR.
If you are diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous disease caused by chronic acid reflux, your risk of esophageal cancer is higher. Ask your doctor what signs and symptoms to pay attention to. This may indicate that your condition is getting worse.
For people with Barrett’s esophagus, screening for esophageal cancer may be an option. If you have Barrett’s esophagus, please discuss the pros and cons of screening with your doctor
Reason of Esophageal Cancer
It is not clear what causes esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer occurs when there is a change (mutation) in the DNA of the cells of the esophagus. These changes make the cells grow out of control. The accumulated abnormal cells form a tumor in the esophagus, which can grow to invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body.
Types of esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is classified according to the cell types involved. The type of esophageal cancer helps determine the treatment plan. Types of esophageal cancer include:
Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma starts in the cells of the mucus secreting glands of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma most often occurs in the lower part of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of esophageal cancer in the United States, mainly affecting whites.
Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cells are flat thin cells that line the surface of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma most commonly occurs in the upper and middle parts of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common esophageal cancer in the world.
Other rare types. Some rare forms of esophageal cancer include small cell carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and choriocarcinoma.
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Other type of Cancer
Risk factors
It is believed that chronic irritation of the esophagus may lead to changes in esophageal cancer. Factors that cause esophageal cell stimulation and increase the risk of esophageal cancer include:
Radiation therapy to the chest or upper abdomen
- Suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- smokes
- Precancerous changes in cells of the esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus)
- obesity
- Drinking
- Bile reflux
- Difficulty swallowing due to the inability to relax the esophageal sphincter (achalasia)
- Get in the habit of drinking hot liquids frequently
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
Complication
As esophageal cancer develops, it may cause complications such as:
Obstruction of the esophagus. Cancer may make it difficult for food and fluids to pass through the esophagus.
Pain. Advanced esophageal cancer can cause pain.
Bleeding from the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can cause bleeding. Although bleeding is usually gradual, it can sometimes be sudden and severe.
Prevention
Esophageal cancer Treatment, You can take steps to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. E.g:
Quit smoking: If you smoke, discuss smoking cessation strategies with your doctor. Medications and counseling services can help you quit smoking. If you don’t use tobacco, don’t start.
Drink alcohol in moderation (if any): If you choose to drink, please drink sparingly. For healthy adults, this means that women drink up to one cup a day, and men drink up to two cups a day.
Eat more fruits and vegetables: Add a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about strategies that can help you lose weight. Strive to lose 1 or 2 pounds of weight slowly or steadily every week.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Esophageal cancer is a condition in which the tissues of the esophagus develop malignant (cancer) cells.
- Smoking, binge drinking, and Barrett esophagus can all raise your risk of developing esophageal cancer.
- Weight loss and uncomfortable or difficult swallowing are indicators and symptoms of esophageal cancer.
- Esophageal cancer is diagnosed through esophageal examination tests.
- The prognosis (chances of recovery) and available treatments are influenced by a number of factors.
Surgery The most popular form of treatment for esophageal cancer is surgery. In a procedure known as an esophagectomy, a portion of the oesophagus may be removed.
Radiation therapy High-energy x-rays or other forms of radiation are used in radiation therapy, a cancer treatment, to either kill or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that employs medications to kill cancer cells or prevent them from proliferating in order to stop the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy enters the bloodstream whether administered orally or through an injection into a vein or muscle, where it can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy).
Chemoradiation therapy In order to maximize the effects of both treatments, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are combined.
Laser therapy A laser beam, which is a concentrated narrow beam of light, is used in laser therapy to destroy cancer cells.
Electrocoagulation Cancer cells can be killed using electrocoagulation, which uses an electric current.
Immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that activates the patient’s immune system. The body’s natural defences against cancer are boosted, directed, or restored using substances produced by the body or in a lab. Biologic therapy is a category of treatment for cancer.
Esophageal cancer symptoms and signs include:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Weight loss without trying
- Chest pain, pressure or burning
- Worsening indigestion or heartburn
- Coughing or hoarseness
Typically, early esophageal cancer has no symptoms or indicators.
Esophageal cancer is hypothesized to develop as a result of alterations brought on by prolonged esophageal irritation. The following things can irritate the cells in your esophagus and raise your risk of developing esophageal cancer:
- Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Smoking
- Having precancerous changes in the cells of the esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus)
- Being obese
- Drinking alcohol
- Having bile reflux
- Having difficulty swallowing because of an esophageal sphincter that won’t relax (achalasia)
- Having a steady habit of drinking very hot liquids
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
- Undergoing radiation treatment to the chest or upper abdomen
The following tests and procedures are used to identify esophageal cancer:
- Barium swallow study. You consume a barium-containing drink during this investigation, and then you are subjected to X-rays. Your esophagus’ inside is coated with barium, which causes any alterations to the tissue to be visible on the X-ray.
- Using a scope to examine your esophagus (endoscopy). A flexible tube with a video lens is passed down your neck and into your esophagus by your doctor during endoscopy. Your doctor checks your esophagus with an endoscope to check for inflammation or cancer.
- Collecting a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy). Your doctor might take a sample of the suspicious tissue using an endoscope, a special scope that is sent down your mouth and into your esophagus (biopsy). A laboratory examines the tissue sample to check for cancer cells.