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Esophageal Cancer Treatment

What is Esophageal Cancer?

Esophageal cancer is a cancer that originates from the esophagus. As we know, esophagus is the food pipe that stretches between the stomach and throat. The exact cause of this cancer is not known but scientist put the blame of the DNA abnormalities of the cells present in the food pipe.

Men are more prone to esophageal cancer than women, and the growing age also makes one susceptible to the disease. Among the cancer forms, this ranks the eight most common to cause deaths worldwide. In fact, this cancer put men three times more at risks than women.

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What are the types of Esophageal Cancer?

Esophageal cancer is of two types in general.

  • Squamous cell carcinoma – This form originates in the cells lining the esophagus.
  • Adenocarcinoma – It develops in the glandular cells of the esophagus.

Sign and symptoms of Esophageal Cancer

Symptoms are generally not visible during the initial stages of esophageal cancer. As the disease spreads, however, patients may experience one or different forms of symptoms, like:-

  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • A loss in the weight without any effort
  • Problems related to indigestion
  • Heartburn and vomiting
  • A pain in the chest
  • A recurring sense of tiredness
  • Repeated choking at the time of eating
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Treatment of Esophageal Cancer

Surgery is recommended by the doctor when the cancer is yet to reach other body parts. After all, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be tried to shrink the tumour in the food pipe itself. The shrinking is done so that the surgery can take out the tumour with ease. Endoscope is the most commonly used option for the early stages, however with some side effects. In chemotherapy, drugs are used to kill the cells, and such treatment is often employed either prior to or post the surgery. Powerful rays are also used in radiation therapy to destroy the cancer cells.

Doctors may recommend other treatments as well when one is hit by esophageal cancer. Here, a metal tube may be implanted into the esophagus to keep it open.