If you think you have a tumor in the esophagus, it is important to get medical attention. The esophagus is a muscular, hollow tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. It is also a common source of cancer. However, many people do not recognize that they have a tumor in the esophagus until it is too late.
Although there is no cure for esophageal cancer, treatment can help relieve symptoms. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on your age, health, and the stage of your cancer.
A squamous cell carcinoma, also known as an epidermoid carcinoma, is the most common type of esophageal cancer. These tumors begin in thin, flat cells that line the esophagus. As the cancer grows, it expands and spreads to the muscle layer of the esophagus.
Cancer in the esophagus can lead to pain, difficulty swallowing, and a decreased appetite. It may also cause a cough. In some cases, the cancer may cause an abnormal airway called a tracheoesophageal fistula. This can be life-threatening, so it is essential to get your esophagus evaluated by a qualified physician.
There are other types of esophageal cancer that can affect the esophagus, including Barrett’s esophagus, small cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Some cancers can affect the lymph nodes, which are part of your immune system. Therefore, if you have any symptoms of an esophageal cancer, your doctor may order a CT scan or PET scan to check for the presence of tumors in your lymph nodes.
Symptoms of esophageal cancer can be difficult to distinguish from other conditions, such as indigestion. In general, symptoms of esophageal cancer are mild and often appear gradually. Once the tumor is large enough, the cancer causes the esophagus to narrow.
You may also experience chest pain and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). If you suffer from these symptoms, you should get them checked out by your doctor. Depending on the type of esophageal cancer you have, you may need to change your eating habits or have a feeding tube placed.
You may be able to prevent esophageal cancer by following a healthy diet, smoking less, and avoiding alcohol. You should also talk to your health care provider about screening and other tests that you can do to diagnose and treat it.
During treatment, you will receive support and information to keep you as comfortable as possible. Surgery can be an option to remove the tumor. Another type of treatment involves a metal stent that is inserted into the esophagus to keep it open. Other patients may need to eat through a feeding tube. To avoid discomfort, some esophageal cancer patients switch to liquid foods.
Esophageal cancer can be very aggressive. In fact, you can only have a five percent chance of survival if the tumor has spread to distant sites in your body. However, the survival rate rises to 43 percent if the cancer has not spread.
