Oesophageal cancer, commonly known as cancer of the oesophagus, is caused by uncontrollably growing cells in the lining of the oesophagus. Cancerous cells can originate from almost any portion of the oesophagus and spread to other parts as well.
WHAT IS OESOPHAGEAL CANCER?
The lining of the oesophagus is composed of two primary cell types:
- Squamous cells.
- Adenomatous glandular cells
Any kind of cell might become the source of cancer. Therefore, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the two primary forms of oesophageal cancer.
A person’s chance of developing oesophageal cancer is increased by multiple factors. Among them are:
- Smoking or using tobacco in other ways
- Excessive drinking
- Barrett’s oesophagus is a disorder that affects the lower region of the oesophagus and can develop oesophageal cancer.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterised by the reflux of stomach contents and acid up into the oesophagus. The oesophageal mucosa may undergo cellular alterations due to stomach acid over time, raising the risk of adenocarcinoma.
The following are the most typical signs of oesophageal cancer:
- Dysphagia, trouble swallowing or pain when eating solid food
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent heartburn or dyspepsia
- Sore throat or soreness behind the breastbone
Risk Factors
A person’s chance of developing oesophageal cancer is increased by multiple factors. Among them are:
- Smoking or using tobacco in other ways
- Excessive drinking
- Barrett’s oesophagus is a disorder that affects the lower region of the oesophagus and can develop oesophageal cancer.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterised by the reflux of stomach contents and acid up into the oesophagus. The oesophageal mucosa may undergo cellular alterations due to stomach acid over time, raising the risk of adenocarcinoma.
Symptoms
The following are the most typical signs of oesophageal cancer:
- Dysphagia, trouble swallowing or pain when eating solid food
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent heartburn or dyspepsia
- Sore throat or soreness behind the breastbone
Diagnosis
Diagnostics for oesophageal cancer could consist of:
Barium swallow X-ray
involves coating your oesophagus with a liquid that you drink. This helps your doctor see specific issues on the X-ray by making the oesophagus shine out.
Endoscopy
To inspect your oesophagus, the doctor inserts an endoscope, a narrow, illuminated tube down your throat.
Biopsy
The doctor will remove tissue or cells from your oesophagus during an endoscopy. A microscope is used to look for signs of cancer in the cells.
CT scan
This test can assist in determining whether oesophageal cancer has progressed to distant regions of the body or to neighbouring organs and lymph nodes, the bean-sized groupings of immune cells that are frequently the site of cancer metastases.
MRI
MRI scans provide detailed images of the body’s soft tissues, just like CT scans do. Additionally, MRIs can be used to check for potential brain and spinal cord metastases of malignancy.
PET scan
A PET-CT scan provides detailed information about the body parts being scanned, helping doctors determine if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment
Treatment for oesophageal cancer, like many other cancers, is more likely to be successful if the disease is detected early. The course of treatment for oesophageal cancer is contingent upon numerous circumstances, such as the cancer’s stage and the patient’s general condition.
Surgery
The oesophagus may be removed entirely or in part. The most typical course of treatment for oesophageal cancer in its early stages is an oesophagectomy. A portion or most of your oesophagus and surrounding tissue must be removed. A portion of your stomach is pulled up into your neck and chest by surgeons to form a new oesophagus.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy precisely targets a tumour and destroys cancer cells while causing the least amount of harm to surrounding healthy tissue by using concentrated energy beams.
Chemotherapy
Strong medications that target cancer cells all over the body; usually taken in conjunction with radiotherapy and/or surgery.
Targeted therapy
Focuses on cancerous features to stop the disease’s growth and spread. There are certain oesophageal cancer cells that have an abnormally high HER2 protein concentration. This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells. Drugs that target HER2 proteins are used by medical professionals to treat oesophageal cancer through targeted treatment.
Immunotherapy
Aids in the immune system’s attack on cancerous cells. Inhibitors of immunological checkpoints are used in this treatment.
Prevention
While it is not possible to prevent every oesophageal cancer, there are risk factors that can be avoided to significantly lower the likelihood of getting the disease.
- Refrain from using alcohol and smoke.
- Pay attention to your food, weight, and exercise.
- Seek treatment for Barrett’s oesophagus or reflux
Prognosis
Your general health and whether you were diagnosed before the tumour spread are two important determining variables in this. Early-stage oesophageal cancer is often successfully treated by medical professionals. If the cancer has already spread, medical professionals might not be able to eradicate it. They can treat you to preserve your quality of life, help you live well for as long as you can, and reduce your symptoms. Palliative care is for end-of-life care.
