What is oesophageal cancer?

Oesophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the oesophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It can make it difficult to swallow and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol, obesity, and chronic acid reflux.

 

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What are the symptoms of oesophageal cancer?

  • Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) – this feels like a pain or burning sensation in the throat or chest
  • Indigestion – occurs when acid from the stomach goes back into the oesophagus
  • Heartburn – which is a burning chest pain after eating
  • Weight loss – follows as a result of not being able to eat food because of the pain
  • Pain in the throat and behind the breastbone
  • A persistent cough
  • Dark poo – faeces may be almost black if the oesophagus bleeds from cancer

How is oesophageal cancer diagnosed?

To diagnose oesophageal cancer, doctors perform an endoscopy. During this procedure, a slender, flexible tube equipped with a camera and light at the tip is inserted through the mouth and guided down towards the stomach. This enables the physician to visually examine the interior of the oesophagus. Additionally, small tissue samples are collected and subsequently analyzed under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.

What are the treatments for oesophageal cancer?

The treatment approach for oesophageal cancer is contingent upon the location of the cancer within the oesophagus and the specific type of cancer, whether it is a squamous cell carcinoma or an adenocarcinoma. In cases where the cancer is detected at an early stage, curative options may be available through chemoradiotherapy or by initially administering chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by surgical removal of the affected portion of the oesophagus.

 

However, if the cancer is diagnosed at a more advanced stage, achieving a complete cure often becomes challenging. In such instances, chemotherapy, sometimes employed in conjunction with targeted therapies like immunotherapy, can be utilized to manage the cancer’s progression and alleviate associated symptoms.

What’s the outlook for oesophageal cancer?

The outlook depends on the stage of oesophageal cancer. It depends on how far the disease has spread, the age, and the general health of the patient.

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