It is a type of cancer that occurs when the cells lining the inner surface of the esophagus grow abnormally. Factors such as smoking and alcohol use, long-term reflux disease and obesity generally increase the risk of this cancer. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, weight loss, chest pain and chronic cough. Esophageal cancer can progress rapidly if not diagnosed early. It can also complicate treatment options.
Types of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the food pipe (esophagus). Esophageal cancer is not a common type of cancer worldwide. However, it is considered a very serious disease. There are basically two main types: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that line the inside of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma usually occurs in the upper and middle parts of the esophagus. It is more common in smokers, alcohol abusers, and people with poor nutrition.
Adenocarcinoma begins in the mucus-producing cells in the lower esophagus. This type of cancer is more common in Western countries. It is often associated with conditions such as obesity, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus. Adenocarcinoma usually develops in the lower esophagus, near the stomach.
Esophageal cancer, although rare, is a very aggressive type of cancer. Early diagnosis increases the chance of treatment. Therefore, it is very important for people with risk factors not to neglect regular check-ups.
Esophageal Cancer Causes
Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in the esophagus grow uncontrollably. Various risk factors can lead to this cancer. Genetic predisposition plays an important role in the development of esophageal cancer. However, environmental factors and lifestyle habits also have a major impact.
One of the most important reasons is smoking. Smoking can damage the cells of the esophagus and cause cancer. The risk of esophageal cancer is much higher in smokers than in non-smokers. Alcohol consumption also increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma in particular. Excessive alcohol consumption causes irritation in the cells of the esophagus, paving the way for cancer.
GERD is characterized by stomach acid leaking back into the esophagus. Long-term reflux can lead to changes in the structure of the cells of the esophagus, causing a precursor condition called Barrett's esophagus and increasing the risk of adenocarcinoma.
Obesity is another major risk factor for esophageal cancer. Excess weight puts pressure on the abdomen, which can trigger reflux disease. Eating habits can increase the risk of cancer.
Genetic factors and conditions that cause chronic irritation to the esophagus also play a role. Reducing risk factors is an important step in preventing cancer from developing.
Esophageal Cancer Symptoms
Esophageal cancer does not show any obvious symptoms in the early stages, so it can be a difficult disease to diagnose. However, as the cancer progresses, abnormal growth of cells in the esophagus causes various symptoms.
The most common and first noticeable symptom is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). As the tumor in the esophagus grows, it can make it harder for food to pass into the stomach. Initially, hard, large-piece foods are difficult to swallow. However, in later stages, even liquids such as water can become difficult to swallow.
Weight loss is another common symptom of esophageal cancer. This is usually due to loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and metabolic changes that the cancer causes in the body. Unexpected and rapid weight loss may be a sign that the cancer is advanced.
Pain or discomfort in the chest area is a common symptom of more advanced esophageal cancer. This pain can sometimes feel like heartburn or reflux, but persistent or severe pain can be a sign of cancer.
Chronic cough and hoarseness occur when cancer affects nerves near the esophagus or airway. These symptoms usually appear in advanced stages and may indicate that the tumor has begun to spread.
Finally, some patients experience symptoms such as heartburn or indigestion. These symptoms may be caused by reflux or acidic stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus. However, if such symptoms persist, they may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Esophageal Cancer Treatment Methods
Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and the location of the tumor. The goal of treatment is to remove the cancer, stop its progression, or relieve symptoms.
Surgery is one of the most common methods of treating esophageal cancer. If cancer is detected in the early stages, surgical removal of the cancerous part is performed. In advanced stages, it may be difficult to remove the entire tumor, in which case surgery is performed to stop the cancer from growing.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is usually used before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy may also be used in cases of metastatic (spread) cancer.
Radiotherapy aims to kill tumor cells by sending high-energy beams to the cancerous area. It can be used to shrink tumors before surgery or to prevent cancer from recurring after surgery. It can be used together with chemotherapy to achieve more effective results.
Targeted therapy uses specific drugs that target the growth and division processes of cancer cells. This type of treatment is especially used for advanced esophageal cancer.
In addition to treatment, supportive treatments also improve the patient's quality of life and help relieve symptoms.
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