Esophageal cancer is the occurrence of cancer in the long muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Symptoms only appear after the cancer has spread. In this article, we explore the causes and symptoms of esophageal cancer, as well as diagnostic methods and treatment with the latest techniques.
What is Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. It originates in the tissues of the esophagus, the long muscular tube that transports food from the throat to the stomach.
Tumors resulting from esophageal cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms until the cancer has spread.
Cancer can be treated in its early stages through surgery to remove tumors or alleviate symptoms. Advanced or later-stage cases may involve treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
What are the Causes of Esophageal Cancer?
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Obesity: Weight gain or obesity can lead to esophagitis, which may progress to cancer.
- Chronic acid reflux: Barrett’s esophagus, a change in cells at the lower end of the esophagus, can occur due to untreated chronic acid reflux. Individuals with long-term stomach acid reflux are more susceptible to developing esophageal cancer.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): A common virus that can cause tissue changes in the vocal cords, mouth, hands, feet, and genital organs.
- History of head or neck cancer: Individuals previously diagnosed with neck or head cancer are more susceptible.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: Individuals exposed to dry cleaning solvents are more prone to esophageal cancer.
What are the Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer?
Difficulty swallowing is the primary symptom people may notice. Other symptoms include:
- Pain in the throat, back, behind the breastbone, or between the shoulder blades.
- Vomiting or coughing up blood.
- Heartburn.
- Hoarseness or chronic cough.
- Unintended weight loss.
What are the Diagnostic Methods for Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer can be diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history, along with various tests:
- Barium swallow: Examining the esophagus through a series of X-rays, where the patient drinks a barium-containing liquid to make the esophagus visible on X-rays.
- CT imaging: This test helps determine if tumors have spread to your chest or abdomen.
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): Using a flexible tube called an endoscope to look inside the esophagus.
- Endoscopic ultrasound: Ultrasound waves create images of the internal part of the esophagus.
- Biopsy: Doctors take a small tissue sample for microscopic examination to determine if there are any cancer cells.
Diagnosis also helps classify cancer or determine its stages. Staging systems lay the foundation for cancer treatment.
When doctors stage esophageal cancer, they consider factors such as the location and depth of the cancerous tumor, whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes, or to tissues or organs further away.
What is the Treatment for Esophageal Cancer?
The treatment for esophageal cancer depends on the cancer stage and grade. Treatment options include:
- Surgery: Removal of the esophagus is the most common treatment for early-stage cancer in esophagus. It involves removing part or most of the esophagus and surrounding tissues, with surgeons creating a new esophagus by pulling a portion of your stomach into the chest and neck.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation kills or destroys cancer cells by directing radiation towards the tumor.
- Chemotherapy: Kills cancer cells or prevents their growth.
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): Surgeons use this procedure to remove tumors in the mucosal lining of the esophagus.
- Endoscopic laser therapy: This treatment alleviates symptoms when tumors block the esophagus, making swallowing difficult.
- Targeted therapy: Some cancer cells carry an abnormally high amount of the protein HER2. This protein helps cancer cells grow. In targeted therapy, doctors treat cancer with drugs that target HER2 proteins.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment includes inhibitors that help restore your immune system’s response to esophageal cancer cells.
Best Doctor for Esophageal Cancer Treatment
Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie is the best doctor for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer. He is a consultant in liver, digestive system, and endoscopy, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in England, and a member of the American College of Gastroenterology. Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie is currently a teacher of general internal medicine, liver, and digestive system at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie regularly participates in many local and international scientific conferences and has numerous scientific research publications in prestigious medical journals.
Book your appointment now if you would like to consult with Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie regarding the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer using the latest treatment methods.