Esophageal cancer

The type of treatment(s) your doctor recommends will depend on the Treating stage 0 esophagus cancer A stage 0 tumor contains abnormal cells called high-grade dysplasia and is a type of pre-cancer. The abnormal cells look like cancer cells, but they are only found in the inner layer of cells lining the esophagus (the epithelium). They have not grown into deeper layers of the esophagus. This stage is often diagnosed when someone with Barrett’s esophagus has a routine biopsy. Options for treatment typically include Another option is to have the abnormal part of the esophagus removed with an Treating stage I esophagus cancer In this stage the cancer has grown into some of the deeper layers of the esophagus wall (past the innermost layer of cells) but has not reached the lymph nodes or other organs. T1 cancers: Some very early stage I cancers that are only in a small area of the mucosa and haven’t grown into the submucosa (T1a tumors) can be treated with EMR, sometimes followed by another type of But most patients with T1 cancers who are healthy enough will have T2 cancers: For patients with cancers that have invaded the muscularis propia (T2 tumors), treatment with chemoradiation is often given before surgery. Surgery alone may be an option for smaller tumors (less than 2 cm). If the cancer is in the part of the esophagus near the stomach, chemo without radiation may be given before surgery. If the cancer is in the upper part of the esophagus (in the neck), chemoradiation may...

There are two common types of esophageal cancer: • Squamous cell carcinoma occurs when cancer starts in the flat, thin cells that make up the lining of the esophagus. This form most often appears in the top or middle of the esophagus, but it can appear anywhere. • Adenocarcinoma occurs when cancer starts in the glandular cells of the esophagus that are responsible for the production of fluids such as mucus. Adenocarcinomas are most common in the lower portion of the esophagus. During the early stages of esophageal cancer, you probably won’t experience any symptoms. As your cancer progresses, you may experience: • unintentional weight loss • indigestion • heartburn • pain or difficulty when swallowing • frequent choking while eating • vomiting • food coming back up the esophagus • chest pain • fatigue • chronic cough • hiccups As with most cancers, the cause of esophageal cancer isn’t yet known. It’s believed to be related to abnormalities (mutations) in the DNA of the cells related to the esophagus. These mutations signal the cells to multiply more rapidly than normal cells. These mutations also disrupt the signal for these cells to die when they should. This causes them to accumulate and become tumors. Experts believe that the irritation of esophageal cells contributes to the development of cancer. Some habits and conditions that can cause irritation include: • consuming alcohol • smoking • having a reflux disorder, such as • having • being overweight • not eating enough ...

Most people with esophageal cancer are diagnosed because they have symptoms. It's rare for people without symptoms to be diagnosed with this cancer. When it does happen, the cancer is usually found by accident because of tests done for other medical problems. Unfortunately, most esophageal cancers do not cause symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat. The most common symptoms of esophageal cancer are: • Trouble swallowing • Chest pain • Weight loss • Hoarseness • Chronic cough • Vomiting • Bone pain (if cancer has spread to the bone) • Bleeding into the esophagus. This blood then passes through the digestive tract, which may turn the stool black. Over time, this blood loss can lead to anemia (low red blood cell levels), which can make a person feel tired. Having one or more symptoms does not mean you have esophageal cancer. In fact, many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by other conditions. Still, if you have any of these symptoms, especially trouble swallowing, it’s important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Trouble swallowing The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is a problem swallowing (called dysphagia). It can feel like the food is stuck in the throat or chest, and can even cause someone to choke on their food. This is often mild when it starts, and then gets worse over time as the cancer grows and the opening inside the esophagus gets smaller. When swa...