Definition
Definition
The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is the growth of cancer cells in this tube.
There are 2 main types of esophageal cancer:
- Squamous cell cancer—from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus
- Adenocarcinoma—from the cells where the esophagus meets the stomach
Esophageal CancerCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Causes
Causes
Cancer occurs when cells in the body divide without control or order. Eventually these uncontrolled cells form a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant growths. These growths invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. It is not clear exactly what causes these problems in the cells, but is probably a combination of genetics and environment.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Esophageal cancer is more common in men, and in people aged 50 years and older.
Other factors that may increase your chance of esophageal cancer include:
- Smoking, or smokeless tobacco use, such as chewing tobacco or snuff
- Excess alcohol use—risk is compounded with combined alcohol and tobacco use
- History of gastroesophageal reflux, especially if this has caused Barrett esophagus
- Achalasia—chronic dilation of the esophagus
- Radiation therapy
- Obesity
- Damaged esophagus from toxic substances, such as lye
- History of head and/or neck cancer
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
- Certain rare genetic conditions, such as Plummer Vinson syndrome and tylosis
Symptoms
Symptoms
Esophageal cancer may cause:
- Trouble swallowing
- Painful swallowing
- Weight loss
- Cough (from aspiration)
- Hoarse voice
- Pain in the throat, back, chest
- Nausea, vomiting
- Coughing up blood
- Black tarry stools
- Hiccups
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Your esophagus may need to be viewed. This can be done with:
- CT scan
- PET-CT scan
- Barium swallow—use of contrast material to examine the esophagus with x-ray
- Esophagoscopy with biopsy—examination of esophagus with a lighted scope, and removal of a small sample of esophageal tissue
- Bone scan if spread to the bones is suspected
Treatment
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options are based on the stage of your cancer and may include one or more of the following:
Surgery
Surgery may be necessary to treat the cancer. Surgery may be the only treatment, or it may be done in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Surgical methods include:
Endoscopic Resection
Endoscopy uses tubes to insert a lighted camera and surgical instruments.
In early stage cancers, the endoscope may be inserted through the mouth to remove tumors from the wall of the esophagus.
Endoscopy in late stage cancers may be done through small incisions in the chest to remove all or part of the esophagus, along with surrounding tissues and lymph nodes. Endoscopy is less invasive and allows for faster healing than open esophagectomy.
Most esophageal cancers are detected in late stages, so endoscopic resection may not be an option.
Open Esophagectomy
Open esophagectomy allows for removal of part or all of the esophagus through 1-2 large incisions. In some cases, the the stomach or piece of small intestine is pulled up into the chest and attached to the upper end of the esophagus, above the cancer. In others, a synthetic tube or a piece of small intestine is substituted.
This procedure is difficult. It has high rates of complications, and low rates of success. Mortality immediately following surgery is often high.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation does not cure esophageal cancer, but it does offer temporary relief of symptoms, and in some cases, shrinkage of the tumor. Radiation used in conjunction with chemotherapy, and sometimes followed by esophagectomy, may offer improved survival over any method used alone. Radiation may be:
- External radiation therapy—radiation directed at the esophagus from a source outside the body
- Internal radiation therapy—radioactive materials placed into the esophagus in or near the cancer cells
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given in many forms. It may be pills, injections, and/or catheters.
The drugs will enter the bloodstream and travels through the body. It will kill mostly cancer cells. Some healthy cells may also be killed.
Chemotherapy alone will not cure this type of cancer. It is only used when the cancer has already spread and cannot be cured. At this point, it is used to help shrink the tumor, ease pain, or control nausea.
Chemoradiotherapy or Combined Modality Therapy
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy together are better than radiotherapy alone. It has also been shown that these 2 treatments may be as effective as surgery alone.
Trimodality Therapy
This is a 3-step therapy. It includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. This has been shown to be a most aggressive form of therapy. It may be the best way to get a cure.
Laser Therapy
High-intensity light may be used to try to kill cancer cells.
Photodynamic Therapy
A combination of drugs and special lights are used to try to kill cancer cells. The medication is absorbed into the cancer cells. The special lights stimulate the medication to kill the cancer cells.
This therapy is a promising treatment. It is only appropriate in a small number of people. There are limits to how far the infrared light source will travel into the cancer itself. The tumor must be small. It is also not used in cancer that has spread to any lymph nodes or other structures.
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of esophageal cancer:
- Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.
- Drink alcohol only in moderation. Moderate alcohol intake 2 drinks or less per day for men and 1 drink or less per day for women.
- Eat a healthful diet that includes fruits and vegetables, and foods high in dietary fiber, and less dairy, processed foods, and red meat.
- Exercise regularly—Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Increased activity is associated with bigger reductions in risk.
- Get medical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- If you are overweight or obese, talk with your doctor or a dietitian about losing weight.
- Talk with your doctor the human papilloma virus vaccine (HPV) to prevent HPV infection.
This type of cancer is usually detected in later stages. People who have risk factors, especially GERD or Barrett’s esophagus, should talk to their doctor about screening tests. Screening tests will look for cancer in people before they have any symptoms.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery http://www.entcanada.org
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Last Updated: 1/22/2015