Esophageal cancer: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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Esophageal cancer is a chronic disease that develops from an abnormal growth of cells in the esophagus, a long, tube-like structure that runs from the throat to the stomach. Currently, it is ranked as the sixth cause of cancer deaths in the world.

It affects more often men older than 50 years, but it also occurs in women. It is almost always detected due to the symptoms it causes; However, in its initial stages it is usually asymptomatic and, therefore, both its diagnosis and its timely treatment are difficult.

There are several subtypes of the disease, but most trigger similar symptoms. Although its causes are not completely clear, it is usually related to genetic mutations, diseases that compromise the esophagus and environmental factors.

Table of Contents

Types of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is classified according to the cells that intervene in its development. Determining what type of cancer each person has can help to establish an adequate treatment. The two most common types are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Also known as squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, it is a type of cancer that forms from the thin, flat cells that line the surface of the esophagus. It often occurs in the upper and middle part of this organ and is the most common esophageal cancer in the world.

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Adenocarcinoma

The adenocarcinoma starts in the cells of the secretory glands of the mucus of the esophagus. It usually occurs in the distal part or lower third of the organ. It is the most common form of esophageal cancer in countries like the United States.

Uncommon cancers

Other types of cancer can also start in the esophagus: lymphomas, melanomas, sarcomas, and choriocarcinomas. However, these forms of the disease occur in small cases.

Causes of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer develops when the cells of this organ have mutations in their DNA. The cells grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor that can grow and invade nearby structures. Chronic irritation of the esophagus is related to changes that cause cancer. In turn, this is linked to factors such as: esophageal cancer

Have gastroesophageal reflux disease
Consume alcoholic beverages
Smoke
Being obese
Presenting precancerous changes in esophageal cells ( Barrett’s esophagus )
Suffering from bile reflux
Treatments with radiation in the chest or upper abdomen

Symptoms of esophageal cancer

In the early stages of esophageal cancer, there are usually no obvious clinical manifestations. However, when the disease progresses, the person may experience symptoms such as:

Difficulty swallowing food
Unexplained weight loss
The sensation of pressure or burning in the chest
Burning in the stomach and constant indigestion
A cough and regurgitation
Changes in voice (hoarseness)
Tarry stools or blood in the stool

Diagnosis

The attending physician will begin with a series of questions about the medical history, risk factors, and symptoms. He will also perform a physical examination. Subsequently, to confirm the diagnosis suggests complementary tests such as:

X-ray of the chest or chest
Computed tomography (CT) of the chest
X-ray (radiography) of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Esophagoscopy
Endoscopic ultrasound
Bone scan

Treatment for esophageal cancer

The suggested treatment for esophageal cancer differs depending on the type of cells involved in its formation. It also takes into account the stage of cancer , the current state of health of the patient and their preferences regarding the treatment.

Surgery

If esophageal cancer has not spread to other parts of the body, surgery is performed. This may involve the removal of all or part of the esophagus. The types of surgical interventions can be:

Surgery to remove very small tumors: recommended when the cancer forms in the superficial layers of the esophagus and has not spread.
Esophagectomy: with which the part of the esophagus containing the tumor is removed, as well as a section of the upper part of the stomach and lymph nodes.
Esophagogastrectomy: In this, the surgeon removes part of the esophagus, nearby lymph nodes and a larger part of the stomach.

Surgery to remove the esophagus can be done through large incisions or minimally invasive procedures. The procedure used depends on each individual situation and the particular focus of the surgeon.

Other treatments

When cancer has not spread outside the esophagus, the doctor may suggest radiation therapy instead of surgery. This procedure uses high-energy x-rays and other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells.

In many cases, radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy is used to reduce the size of the tumor and facilitate the performance of surgery. Chemotherapy is a treatment with drugs that kill the malignant cells or stop their division.

In addition to this, measures can be recommended to reduce complications caused by obstruction of the esophagus and inability to swallow. This may include: esophageal cancer

Dilation of the esophagus using an endoscope and special instruments to place a
Feeding tube inside the stomach
Use of phototherapy, an intervention in which a special drug is used that is activated when it is exposed to light. Its purpose is to attack the tumor.

When esophageal cancer is intervened before it spreads to other parts of the body, surgery increases the chances of survival. Unfortunately, if cancer gets extended, the cure is not possible and treatment can only alleviate the symptoms.

Therefore, it is essential to be alert to any warning signal and request regular medical examinations in case of being in a risk group.

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