This cancer type starts in the esophagus and is called esophageal cancer. A long tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach is called the esophagus. In other words, this organ helps move food from the throat end to the stomach to be digested. Abnormal growth of the cancerous cells starts in the esophagus lining. However, this cancer type may appear anywhere on the lining of the esophagus.
Usually, the first treatment for people with esophagus cancer is surgery to remove the tumor but doctors also may recommend other treatments either before or after surgery. For example radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and others.
Symptoms
Commonly, early stages of esophageal cancer do not cause symptoms. Most people with this cancer type begin to experience symptoms in advanced stages. Check below some symptoms:
- Unusual weight loss
- Worsening of the heartburn and indigestion
- Cough
- Hoarseness
- Chest pain (angina), pressure, or burning
- Swallowing problems
If any of the previous symptoms occur, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes
This cancer type usually appears when a DNA change (mutation) occurs in the esophagus cells. DNA contains specific instructions that tell a cell when to grow, multiply, and die. However, mutated DNA gives cells different instructions that make them grow and multiply abnormally. When the abnormal cells become too much, they form a mass called a tumor. This tumor usually invades and destroys healthy cells. Moreover, tumors may break go to other body parts (metastatic cancer).
Esophageal Cancer Types
There are several types of this cancer depending on the cell type involved. Determining the cancer type helps get the best treatment for you. Check below some esophageal cancer types:
- Adenocarcinoma – This type begins in the glands cells of the esophagus. These glands are responsible for producing mucus. Adenocarcinoma happens usually in the lower esophagus part and it is considered the most common esophageal cancer type in the United States. Mostly, it negatively affects white men.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – This cancer type often begins in the flat cells that line the esophagus surface. Commonly, it occurs in the upper and middle esophagus parts. Moreover, it is the most common esophageal cancer in the entire world.
- Other types – The following esophageal cancer types happen very rarely. For example small cell carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and choriocarcinoma.
Risk Factors
There are some factors that may elevate your risk of developing this cancer type. For example:
- Frequently drinking very hot beverages
- Bile reflux
- Swallowing problems due to stiffness of the esophagus muscles (achalasia)
- Heavy alcohol drinking
- GERD (also called gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Obesity
- Lack or reduced amount of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Smoking
- Radiation therapy
Complications
Complications of esophageal cancer usually happen in advanced stages. For example:
- Esophagus blockage – This complication makes it difficult for drinks and food to pass through the esophagus.
- Bleeding – Esophagus bleeding often occurs gradually but it can be sudden and severe sometimes.
- Pain – Those who suffer from an advanced form of esophageal cancer may experience pain.
How to Prevent Esophageal Cancer?
While there are no sure ways to prevent cancer, the following tips may reduce the risk of developing it. Examples include:
- Limit alcohol drinking
- Add to your diet more fresh fruits and vegetables
- Regularly exercise (it is advised to aim for at least 30 minutes of physical exercise per day)
- Try to get and maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking or never begin
Diagnosis
Commonly, physicians perform imaging tests to diagnose esophageal cancer. However, in some cases, they may use the following tests to confirm the condition and exclude others that cause similar symptoms. For example:
- Barium swallow study – This study involves an X-ray test to examine the digestive system. It helps doctors detect esophagus irregularities such as growths. However, before this test, your doctor will give you a drink called barium. This substance helps make images more clear.
- Upper endoscopy – During this test, doctors will use a flexible and long tube with a camera on the end to look inside the body.
- Biopsy – It involves the removal of a small amount of affected tissue from the esophagus and testing it in the laboratory. During this test, doctors will check for cancerous cells.
In addition, if you are diagnosed with esophageal cancer, physicians may perform additional tests to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. These include bronchoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, CT (computerized tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, PET (positron emission tomography) scan, and others.
Treatment
The main treatment for people with this type of cancer is surgery to remove the tumor. However, if the tumor grows too large and spreads throughout the body, you may need additional treatments.
Surgery
This treatment option may be done alone or in combination with other treatments. Check below some surgery types used in people with esophageal cancer:
- Endoscopic resection – This is a procedure in which the cancer is removed from the inside of the esophagus. It uses an endoscope (a long and flexible tube) that is inserted into the esophagus through the throat. Thereafter, doctors will pass tools through the endoscope to remove the cancer. Usually, physicians recommend this treatment option for people with early stages of cancer.
- Esophagectomy – During this procedure, surgeons will remove a part of the esophagus with the tumor and some healthy lymph nodes. In some cases, they may remove the upper stomach part. In such cases, the surgery is called an esophagogastrectomy. After that, the remaining esophagus is connected to the stomach by pulling the stomach up to meet the rest of the esophagus. In some cases, surgeons may use a colon part to join the stomach and esophagus.
Like other surgeries, these procedures involve a risk of serious complications including infections and bleeding. While esophagus removal can be done using large incisions, it can be performed through a few small incisions in the skin (also called laparoscopy).
Chemotherapy
This treatment involves strong medicines usually given intravenously (IV) to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used either before or after surgery or in combination with radiation therapy. Potential side effects include extreme tiredness (fatigue), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
Radiation Therapy
This cancer treatment involves strong energy beams that come from different sources including X-rays, protons, and others. During this procedure, the patient usually lies down on a table and a specific machinery directs the radiation directly to the cancer cells causing them to die. Common side effects include sunburn-like skin reactions, swallowing problems, and damage to other organs (such as the lungs and heart).
Targeted Therapy
This therapy involves specific medicines that block a protein in the cancer cells leading them to die. If you experience an advanced form of esophageal cancer and surgery is not an option, physicians may prescribe targeted therapy along with chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells.
Moreover, healthcare professionals may perform some tests to determine whether target therapy will be effective for you.
Immunotherapy
Approximately all cancer cells produce a chemical that helps them hide from the immune system. This treatment option involves medications that boost the immune system to fight against cancer cells. Immunotherapy is often prescribed by doctors when other treatment options do not work or in the advanced stage of cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can esophageal cancer be cured?
This cancer type may be cured rarely. In other words, to cure esophageal cancer it should be detected early when it is small and not spread to other body parts.
What is the survival rate for esophageal cancer?
Generally, the 5-year survival rate for people with this cancer type is approximately 20%. However, if esophageal cancer is found early when it is small, the 5-year survival rate increases. Discuss with your doctor for more details.
What are the possible complications of esophageal cancer?
People with this type of cancer may experience some complications, especially if they do not get treatment. Examples include:
- Hoarseness
- Unusual weight loss
- Dumping syndrome
- Esophagus bleeding, blockage, or pain
- Cough
- Memory loss
- Blood clots
Consult with your healthcare professional about ways to prevent esophageal cancer complications. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
