May 12th 2009
Esophageal Cancer - causes, symptoms and treatment
What is this condition?
This type of cancer attacks the esophagus - the canal extending from the throat to the stomach. The tumor is usually infiltrating. There’s no known cure yet.
What causes it?
The cause is unknown, but predisposing factors include chronic irritation caused by heavy smoking and excessive alcohol use, stasis-induced inflammation, and nutritional deficiency
What are its symptoms?
Swallowing difficulty and weight loss are the most common initial symptoms. Swallowing difficulty is mild and intermittent at first bur soon becomes constant. Pain, hoarseness, coughing, and esophageal obstruction follow. Physical wasting and malnutrition may develop.
How is it diagnosed?
X-rays of the esophagus, with barium swallow and motility studies, reveal structural and filling defects and reduced peristalsis. An endoscopic examination of the esophagus, biopsies, and cytologic tests confirm esophageal tumors.
How Esophageal Cancer is treated?
Whenever possible, treatment includes surgical removal of the tumor to maintain a passageway for food. This may require radical surgery. Some people can undergo only palliative surgery, which relieves some symptoms but doesn’t cure the disease. Other therapies may consist of radiation, chemotherapy with cisplatin, or insertion of prosthetic tubes to bridge the tumor and alleviate swallowing difficulty. Treatment complications may be severe.
Tagged under:endoscopic examination, esophageal tumors, initial symptoms, palliative surgery swallowing difficulty