About Esophageal Cancer:
The esophagus is a foot-long, hollow muscular tube that connects the back of your throat to your stomach. When you swallow, the esophagus carries food and liquids to your stomach for digestion. Esophageal cancer occurs when the cells lining the esophagus mutate and grow uncontrollably. In some cases, the cancer can grow through the esophageal lining and penetrate the esophageal wall.
Because It often has no symptoms in the early stages, it is usually detected at a more advanced stage and becomes more challenging to treat.
There are different types of esophageal cancer, depending on the type of cell in which the cancer starts.
The two most common types of esophageal cancer are:
Esophageal adenocarcinoma: The lining of your esophagus contains glandular cells that secrete mucus to lubricate the passage of food. These cells are concentrated in the lower esophagus, near the stomach. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in these gland cells. Heartburn, which is also called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a major risk factor. Other risk factors include obesity, smoking and Barrett’s esophagus (see below). Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of esophageal cancer in the Western Hemisphere, especially in white males.
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cells are flat cells that make up most of your esophageal lining. Squamous cell carcinoma, also called epidermoid carcinoma, begins in these squamous cells. It occurs primarily in the middle and upper parts of the esophagus, although it can develop anywhere. Risk factors include smoking and drinking alcohol.
Lymphoma: Cancer that affects the body’s immune system. Lymphoma does not start in the esophageal lining; it arises from the lymph nodes attached to the esophagus.
Risk Factors Include:
Anything that increases your chance of getting esophageal cancer is a risk factor. It is often associated with repeated injury to the esophageal lining. It is also related to factors like age and hereditary conditions.
Esophageal cancer causes and risks include:
Long-term heartburn: Heartburn is a symptom caused by stomach juices with acid and bile coming into the esophagus. Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are the medical names for heartburn. Long-term heartburn is a factor in half of esophageal cancers.
Heartburn can be controlled by medication and sometimes surgery. Speak to your doctor to determine the best way to keep your heartburn under control.
Long-term history of smoking: Smoking damages the cell lining of the esophagus. Half of squamous cell of esophagus cancer involve smoking. Smoking also increases the risk of adenocarcinoma.
Excessive alcohol consumption: The more alcohol you drink, the higher the risk for esophageal cancer. Combining smoking and drinking alcohol also increases the risk to get It.
Barrett’s esophagus : A history of uncontrolled heartburn may damage the cells lining the esophagus, especially near the gastroesophageal junction (where the esophagus meets the stomach). The damaged cells change to resemble intestinal cells, rather than esophageal cells. This is called Barrett’s esophagus. In some people, Barrett’s esophagus is a precancerous condition that can transform into esophageal cancer and needs to be watched closely.
Diet and weight: The risk of esophageal cancer is higher if you are overweight, tend to overeat or do not eat a healthy diet.
Exposure to chemicals: Lye ingestion or being around dry-cleaning chemicals are esophageal cancer risk factors.
Medical history: A history of any of the following may be associated with an increased risk for esophageal cancer:
Achalasia: A disease in which the sphincter, or muscle, at the bottom of the esophagus fails to open and move food into the stomach
Tylosis or Howel Evans Syndrome: A rare, inherited disorder that causes excess skin to grow on the soles of the feet and palms. Patients with this disorder have nearly a 100% chance of developing squamous cell esophageal cancer.
Not everyone with risk factors gets this cancer. However, if you have risk factors, you should discuss them with your doctor.
The best thing you can do to prevent It is to keep your heartburn under control, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking and only drink alcohol in moderation.
Why choose us ?
From the moment you arrive at our Gastrointestinal Center for your esophageal cancer treatment, our highly specialized physicians and support specialists make your care their priority.
From individualized treatment to minimally invasive procedures to groundbreaking research, we are constantly striving to provide our esophageal cancer patients with better outcomes and hope for the future.
Our experts from different esophageal cancer disciplines have weekly online meetings to make recommendations about patient care plans. This means your treatment is not just a one-sized-fits-all recommendation: It is a thorough, personalized assessment developed by some of the nation’s leading cancer physicians.
At ACH, our experts specialize in minimally invasive procedures. For example, our endoscopic mucosal resection program for patients with very early stage esophageal cancer can preserve the function of the esophagus and stomach.
If your treatment plan includes surgery, our highly experienced surgeons work to ensure your quality of life after surgery will be excellent, allowing you to eat all types of food and return to normal activities.