Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is most often found in men over age 50 and is more common in blacks than whites. The two most common types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, which is the long, thin tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. It usually starts in the lining of the esophagus and can spread to other parts of the body. Esophageal cancer is more common in men than women and is most often diagnosed in people over age 55.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the flat cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma starts in glandular cells that make mucus and other fluids.
Most esophageal cancers are adenocarcinomas.
Symptoms of esophageal cancer may include trouble swallowing, weight loss, pain when swallowing, and coughing or hoarseness. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so they can rule out other causes.
Esophageal cancer is typically diagnosed with an endoscopy, which uses a small camera to look inside the esophagus, or a biopsy, which removes tissue for examination under a microscope.
Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on several factors including the stage of the cancer and overall health of the patient. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Clinical trials testing new treatments are also an option for some patients with esophageal cancer.
In-depth: Esophageal cancer symptoms to look for and why it kills most who are diagnosed with it
What is the Main Cause of Esophageal Cancer?
The main cause of esophageal cancer is chronic inflammation of the esophagus. This can be caused by a number of factors, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, and smoking. GERD is a condition in which stomach acid and other contents are regurgitated back up into the esophagus, causing irritation.
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus changes, becoming more like the lining of the intestines. This change is thought to be caused by repeated exposure to stomach acid. Smoking causes damage to the cells lining the esophagus, which can lead to cancer.
What are the Warning Signs of Esophagus Cancer?
The esophagus is a hollow, muscular tube that connects the back of the throat to the stomach. Cancer of the esophagus is when abnormal cells in the lining of the esophagus grow out of control. Esophageal cancer is rare in most Western countries, but it’s one of the most common cancers in some parts of Asia and Africa.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the thin, flat cells that line the inside surface of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma starts in glandular cells that make and release mucus and other fluids.
Most people with early-stage esophageal cancer don’t have any symptoms. As it grows, it can cause trouble swallowing (dysphagia), weight loss, chest pain, hoarseness or wheezing (stridor), or coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
If you have any symptoms that last more than a couple weeks, you should see your doctor so they can figure out what’s causing them and whether or not you need treatment.
Can Esophageal Cancer Be Cured?
Yes, esophageal cancer can be cured. However, the chances of a cure depend on many factors, such as the type and stage of cancer, and the person’s overall health.
The most common type of esophageal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which usually starts in the cells lining the inside of the esophagus.
Esophageal adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular cells in the lower part of the esophagus. These two types are often treated differently.
Surgery is usually the first treatment for all stages of esophageal cancer.
The goal of surgery is to remove all of the cancerous tissue. This can sometimes be difficult because cancers can spread through tissues surrounding the esophagus. In some cases, only part of the esophagus needs to be removed.
Other times, more extensive surgery is needed, such as a total removal of the esophagus (esophagectomy). Surgery may also be used to relieve symptoms caused by blockages in advanced cancers.
What is the Life Expectancy for Esophageal Cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for esophageal cancer is 20%. However, this number varies based on how early the cancer is caught. If the cancer is caught in stage I, the five-year survival rate jumps to 55%.
However, if the cancer has progressed to stage IV, the five-year survival rate plummets to 5%.
Credit: www.mayoclinic.org
What is the First Sign of Esophageal Cancer
The first sign of esophageal cancer is typically dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Other early symptoms may include:
-Chest pain (particularly behind the breastbone)
-Heartburn
-Indigestion
-Sore throat
-Hoarseness
How Long Can You Have Esophageal Cancer And Not Know
If you have esophageal cancer, it’s likely that you’ll experience some symptoms. However, it’s also possible to have esophageal cancer without any symptoms at all. This is called asymptomatic esophageal cancer.
So, how long can you have esophageal cancer and not know? It really depends on the individual case. Some people may never experience any symptoms and only find out they have cancer when it’s detected during a routine medical exam or imaging test for another condition.
Others may start to experience symptoms months or even years after the cancer has developed. The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Other potential symptoms include weight loss, persistent coughing or hoarseness, pain in the throat or back, and bleeding from the mouth or rectum.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor right away for further testing. Esophageal cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its asymptomatic nature, so early detection is key to increasing treatment options and chances for survival.
Causes of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, the long, thin tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. Cancer can develop in any part of the esophagus, but it most commonly occurs in the lower part of the esophagus near the stomach. Esophageal cancer is more common in men than women and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
The exact cause of esophageal cancer is unknown, but there are several risk factors that may increase your chance of developing this disease. These include:
* Smoking: Cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor for developing esophageal cancer.
* Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing esophageal cancer, especially if you also smoke cigarettes.
* Barrett’s esophagus: This condition occurs when acid reflux damages the lining of the esophagus, causing it to change shape and become more like the lining of the intestine. People with Barrett’s esophagus have a greater chance of developing esophageal cancer than people without this condition.
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation.
Esophageal Cancer Stage 4 Symptoms
Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the esophagus, the long, thin tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. Esophageal cancer is usually found in the lower part of the esophagus, near the stomach.
There are four main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinomas make up about 95% of all esophageal cancers. Adenocarcinomas make up about 5%. Small cell and large cell carcinomas are much less common.
Symptoms of esophageal cancer include trouble swallowing (dysphagia), weight loss without trying, chest pain or pressure, hoarseness, and coughing up blood. Esophageal cancer often has no early symptoms. As the tumor grows larger it can block the passage of food through the esophagus causing dysphagia.
Weight loss occurs because people with dysphagia may eat less since it’s difficult to swallow. Chest pain occurs when the tumor presses on nerves or blood vessels in the chest. Hoarseness happens when the tumor invades nearby vocal cords.
Coughing up blood can occur if the tumor bleeds or if it erodes through surrounding tissue into a blood vessel..
Esophageal cancer is diagnosed with an endoscopy.
During this procedure a thin lighted tube is inserted through your mouth and down your throat so that your doctor can see inside your esophagus and stomach. If abnormal growths are seen they will be biopsied (tissue samples taken for further testing). A barium swallow may also be performed which involves drinking a chalky liquid that coats the inside of your digestive tract so that any abnormalities show up more clearly on an x-ray.
.
There are three main stages of esophageal cancer: stage 0, stage I ,and stage II .
Esophageal Cancer Symptoms Female
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, which is the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It can occur in both men and women, but is more common in men. Symptoms of esophageal cancer may include difficulty swallowing, pain or burning sensation when swallowing, weight loss, hoarseness, and coughing up blood.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so that he or she can determine whether or not you have esophageal cancer.
How Common is Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the esophagus, the long, thin tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach. Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus.
The most common type of esophageal cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in cells lining the lower part of the esophagus near the stomach.
Squamous cell carcinoma, which begins in flat cells lining the upper part of the esophagus, is much less common.
In the United States, about 17,290 people will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year. It’s more common in men than women and is more likely to occur in people over age 55.
Caucasians are also at higher risk than African Americans or Asians.
Unusual Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the long, thin tube that delivers food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach. Cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus, but it most commonly starts in the upper or middle part of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer is relatively rare, accounting for only about 1% of all cancers in the United States.
But it’s one of the deadliest types of cancer because it’s often not diagnosed until it has spread to other parts of the body.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the flat cells lining the inside of your esophagus.
Adenocarcinoma begins in glandular cells that make and release mucus and other fluids. These two types are often grouped together because they have similar symptoms and are treated in similar ways.
The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
You may feel like food is sticking in your throat or chest, or you may choke on your food or spit it up more often than usual. Other symptoms include weight loss without trying; pain behind your breastbone; hoarseness; persistent cough; wheezing; and regurgitating food or liquid back up into your throat (reflux). If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor so he or she can determine if they’re caused by something else—such as acid reflux—or if further testing is needed to check for esophageal cancer.
Types of Esophageal Cancer
There are two main types of esophageal cancer, which are named according to the type of cell that is initially affected. The most common type of esophageal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which begins in the flat cells lining the inside of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma, which begins in the glandular cells that secrete mucus, is less common but has been increasing in frequency over the past few decades.
Both types of esophageal cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on several factors and usually involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Conclusion
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, the long, thin tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. It’s not clear what causes esophageal cancer, but certain factors may increase your risk of developing it, including:
– Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products
– Drinking alcohol excessively
– Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
– Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk. Esophageal cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, so early detection is key to successful treatment.