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Esophageal CancerPronounced: Ee-sof-uh-gee-uhl Can-ser DefinitionThe esophagus is the tube that transports food from the throat to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is the growth of cancer cells the esophagus. There are two main types of esophageal cancer:
Cancer occurs when cells in the body divide out of control. If cells keep dividing, a mass of tissue forms. These are called growths or tumors. If the tumor is malignant, it is cancer. They can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Esophageal Cancer  © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Risk FactorsFactors that may increase your chance of esophageal cancer include:
SymptomsSymptoms include:
The structure and location of the esophagus makes it easy for cancer to spread very early. This can make a cure more difficult. People who have related conditions, especially reflux, should discuss regular screening tests with their doctor. This may include endoscopy. DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Tests may include:
TreatmentTreatment may include: SurgeryA surgery may be done to remove the tumor. The doctor might remove all or part of your esophagus as well. A plastic tube might be used to replace the missing portion of esophagus. Radiation TherapyRadiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may be:
ChemotherapyChemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given in many forms, including by pill, by injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream. It travels through the body. It will kill mostly cancer cells. Some healthy cells may also be killed. Chemotherapy alone will not cure this type of cancer. It is only used when the cancer has already spread and cannot be cured. At this point it is used to help shrink the tumor and help ease pain or control nausea. Chemoradiotherapy or Combined Modality TherapyChemotherapy and radiation therapy together are better than radiotherapy alone. It has also been shown that these two treatments may be as effective as surgery alone. Trimodality TherapyChemotherapy and radiation therapy are followed by a surgery. This has been shown to be a most aggressive form of therapy. It may be the best way to cure a patient of their disease. Laser TherapyHigh-intensity light used to try to kill cancer cells. Photodynamic TherapyA combination of drugs and special lights used to try to kill cancer cells. This therapy is a promising treatment approach but is only appropriate in a very small number of patients. There are limits of how far the infrared light source will travel into the cancer itself. The tumor must be very small (smaller than ¼ inch thick). It must not involve any lymph nodes or other structures. If you are diagnosed with esophageal cancer, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions . PreventionTo help prevent esophageal cancer:
RESOURCES: American Association of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery American Cancer Society CANADIAN RESOURCES: Canadian Cancer Society Canadian Society of Otolaryngology References: Abeloff MD. Clinical Oncology. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, Inc.; 2000. Far AE, Aghakhani A, Hamkar R, et al. Frequency of human papillomavirus infection in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Iranian patients. Scand. J Infect Dis 2007;39(1):58-62. General information about esophageal cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/esophageal/Patient . Updated August 2008. Accessed July 8, 2009. Sleisenger MH, Fordtran JS, Feldman M, Scharschmidt B. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 1998. ¹1/13/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Wysowski DK. Reports of esophageal cancer with oral bisphosphonate use. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:89-90. Last reviewed September 2009 by Mohei Abouzied, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2009 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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