Normally, we are familiar with cancer that occurs in important parts of the body, such as liver cancer , lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer. But another important organ that we may not often talk about is the “esophagus”, which causes patients with this disease to suffer no less than cancers in other parts.
What is esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer is a cancer that has abnormal cell growths in the inner tissue layer. The tissue has grown out to the outer wall. The esophagus is a part that is close to other organs in the body. If the cancer spreads through the esophageal wall, it can reach the lymph nodes, large blood vessels in the chest, and nearby organs. https://ufabet999.app Esophageal cancer can also spread to the lungs, liver, stomach, and other parts of the body.
Types of Esophageal Cancer
- Squamous cell carcinoma arises from cells lining the esophageal wall and usually occurs in the proximal and middle portions of the esophagus.
- Adenocarcinoma arises from the glandular portion of the distal esophagus.
Risk factors for esophageal cancer
- Age 45-70 years
- Men are 3 times more at risk than women.
- Smoking, the longer you smoke, the more risky it becomes.
- Drinking alcohol increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
- It is a disease of acid reflux or chronic esophagitis.
- The esophagus is affected by Barrett’s esophagus, in which stomach acid destroys the cells lining the esophagus, leading to the development of a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma.
- Eating a diet low in vegetables, fruits and minerals.
- Obese
- heredity
Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer
Warning signs of “esophageal cancer” are as follows:
- Hoarseness, chronic hiccups, chronic cough
- Swallowing food is painful and may radiate to the back.
- Unexpected weight loss
- Have anemia, vomit blood, or have black stools.
- Difficulty swallowing, feeling of tightness in the chest or throat, starting after eating solid food, soft food, liquid food, and then water, and may choke or vomit the food that was previously eaten.
Esophageal cancer treatment
- Surgery, including removal of very small tumors, partial esophagectomy, and esophageal-stomach reconnection surgery.
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, and may also help alleviate complications in people with advanced esophageal cancer.
- Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be used before or after surgery. It can be used in combination with radiation therapy, which may improve the effectiveness of the treatment, but can also cause side effects.
How to prevent esophageal cancer
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Keep your weight within the standard range at all times.
- Choose to eat foods that are beneficial to the body. Increase your intake of vegetables and fruits.
- Treat acid reflux disease or chronic esophagitis to improve symptoms as quickly as possible.