April- Esophageal Cancer |
The esophagus is the narrow tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth into the stomach. All fluids and nutrients that we eat and drink must pass through this long cylinder before reaching the stomach to begin the digestive process. In the adult, it is around 11-13 inches long (28-33 cm) and has an internal diameter around three quarters of an inch (2 cm).
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Cancer of the esophagus can start anywhere along the length of the esophagus. Each develops in a different kind of cell.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: the most common type of esophageal cancer worldwide. South Central Asia’s “esophageal cancer belt” region is reported as having some of the highest rates of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma worldwide, affecting both males and females at similar rates. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the squamous cells that line the esophagus. These cancers are usually found in the upper and middle part of the esophagus. Normally these cancers are caused by heavy alcohol consumption and smoking, but there have been other documented risk factors as well.
- Adenocarcinoma: the most common type in the United States and in Western Europe. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is one of the fastest increasing of all cancers in the United States. Adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular cells in the lower part of the esophagus and may occur at or near the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, known as the gastroesophageal (GE) – junction. Normally these cancers are caused by Acid Reflux and are linked to obesity.
Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:
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What treatments you receive for esophageal cancer are based on the type of cells involved in your cancer, your cancer's stage, your overall health and your preferences for treatment. They include:
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