Esophageal cancer begins in the glandular cells that produce mucus. Symptoms of this type of cancer are often mild or nonspecific and include feeling as if food is stuck in your throat. Heavy alcohol use and smoking are risk factors for esophageal cancer. Other symptoms include weight loss and difficulty swallowing. Surgical treatment is available. A doctor may perform an endoscopic examination to rule out esophageal cancer.
The TNM classification system is used to grade and stage esophageal cancer. T1a lesions show less likelihood of nodal spread. Lesions graded T2a are more likely to spread to lymph nodes. The stage of the cancer also depends on the number of lymph nodes involved. Although there is a low incidence of lymphatic metastases in esophageal cancer, most series have a minimal incidence of nodal spread.
Imaging scans are another way to diagnose the disease. Imaging scans help doctors determine whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and how deep the tumor is. Other tests may include X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans. Staging esophageal cancer may require more invasive procedures. These include laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, which insert a camera into the chest cavity and lung airways.
Chemotherapy is one option for treating cancer of the esophagus. This form of therapy uses drugs that attack specific cancer cells in the body. The drugs do not damage normal cells, which makes them a good choice for treating esophageal cancer. The drugs used in this treatment are generally more potent than chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In some cases, the treatment of cancer of the esophagus is a combination of both types of therapies.
The survival rate for esophageal cancer is generally around 18%, according to the National Cancer Institute. The survival rate decreases as the cancer spreads and lymph nodes become involved. In addition, esophageal cancer patients with tumors that disappear after chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery have a higher three-year survival rate than those with residual tumors. Esophageal cancer is associated with a high percentage of patients with smoking, and a person who quits smoking is at a lower risk for developing the disease.
In most cases, the symptoms of esophageal cancer are nonspecific. Treatment options will depend on the type of cancer, but the onset of symptoms is often indicative of an early stage of the disease. The first symptom is difficulty swallowing, a condition called dysphagia. The difficulty swallowing is a common symptom of this type of cancer. The condition may also cause chest pain or discomfort.
While the majority of esophageal cancer is curable with surgery, there are some limitations. Cancer biology, the extent of the tumor, and the presence of subclinical micro metastasis are important factors in determining treatment options. While surgery is an effective method for treating esophageal cancer, it can cause severe side effects and has limited curative capabilities. This is why the treatment options for esophageal cancer vary so widely.