subject: Surgery Might Be Avoidable in Esophageal Cancer [print this page] Surgery Might Be Avoidable in Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
What is Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer starts in the cells of the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube that leads from the back of the mouth (pharynx) to the stomach. It sits between the spine and the lungs. The muscles of the esophagus move in rhythmic waves to push food and drink to the stomach. The point where the esophagus joins the stomach is called the gastro esophageal junction. The muscles at the junction prevent the contents of the stomach from flowing back up into the esophagus.
Cancer of the esophagus may develop anywhere along the length of the esophagus. There are 2 main types
: Squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the squamous cells that line the esophagus and. Adenocarcinoma, which starts in the glandular cells of the lower third of the esophagus or in cells that have been damaged by acid backing up from the stomach.
Causes & Risk Factors of Esophageal Cancer
* Age - Esophageal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older, over age 60. * Sex - Cancer of the esophagus is more common in men than in women.
* Tobcco / Alcohol Use - Chronic and/or heavy use of alcohol is another major risk factor.
Signs and Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer
Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause symptoms. However, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include: difficult or painful swallowing, severe weight loss, pain in the throat or back, behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades, chronic cough, Vomiting and / or Coughing up blood.
Treatment Of Esophageal Cancer in India
Surgery to remove the cancer in India : - Two types of surgery are commonly performed for esophageal cancer. In one type of surgery, parts of the esophagus and nearby lymph nodes are removed, and the remaining portion of the esophagus is reconnected to the stomach. In the other surgery, part of the esophagus, nearby lymph nodes, and the top of the stomach are removed. The remaining portion of the esophagus is reconnected to the stomach.
Laser treatment and stents to relieve symptoms : - Even if your esophageal cancer cannot be cured and if your cancer is blocking your oesophagus and making it difficult to swallow, Laser treatment may be used to clear any blockages. Or a tube called a stent is put in to allow food and drink to pass through.
Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer in India: - Combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer in India If your cancer hasn't spread, but is difficult to remove, your doctor may suggest you have combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.This treatment is designed to try to get rid of your cancer fully. Your doctor may also suggest this approach if you cannot have surgery for some reason, but your cancer could potentially be removed. It is quite an intensive treatment and there are side effects. It has proved to be particularly successful for squamous cell cancers that are nearer to the top of the oesophagus. Read More .
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) : - This treatment involves the use of low powered lasers combined with a light sensitive drug to destroy cancer cells. PDT is a relatively new treatment. There are two situations where your doctor may suggest it.
1)As a treatment to try to prevent high grade Barrett's oesophagus developing into cancer 2) To destroy part of a tumour and improve swallowing when advanced oesophageal cancer is making this difficult.
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