Esophageal Cancer - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Cancer esophagus or cancer esophagus is growth malignant cellswhat happened in esophagus (esophagus). The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Esophageal cancer or esophageal cancer can be experienced by everyone, but is more common in men over the age of 40 years. These cancer cells usually start from cells that are in the inside of the esophagus. The sooner it is detected and treated, the better the treatment results.

Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer

In the early stages, esophageal cancer rarely causes symptoms. Symptoms usually only appear when the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Symptoms of esophageal cancer include:

  • Heartburn.
  • Pain in the throat or behind the breastbone.
  • Chronic cough that occurs continuously.
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
  • Drastic weight loss.
  • Coughing up blood or vomiting blood.
  • Bloody or dark stools.

When to go to the doctor

If you feel the symptoms of esophageal cancer, immediately do an examination to the doctor. Besides, people who suffer Barrett's esophagus You also need to have regular check-ups with your doctor. Barrett's esophagus is a precancerous condition that increases a person's risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Patients with esophageal cancer or esophageal cancer should have regular check-ups with a doctor, both during treatment and after treatment is complete. This is necessary so that doctors can evaluate treatment and detect early if the disease reappears.

Causes of Esophageal Cancer

The cause of esophageal cancer is not known. However, this cancer is thought to arise because the cells in the esophagus undergo genetic changes or mutations, so that they grow abnormally and uncontrollably. These abnormal cells accumulate to form a tumor in the esophagus.

Although the exact cause is not known, there are several conditions that can increase a person's risk of developing esophageal cancer, including:

  • Smoking habit. The content of toxins and harmful compounds in cigarettes can cause irritation to the lining of the esophagus, thereby increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption. Just like cigarettes, alcohol can make the esophageal tract irritated and inflamed which can trigger abnormal cell growth.
  • Esophageal disorders, such as Barrett's esophagus and achalasia.
  • Obesity.
  • Low fiber diet.
  • Radiotherapy, for example for the treatment of other cancers in the neck area.

Esophageal Cancer Diagnosis

In the early stages, the doctor will diagnose esophageal cancer by asking the patient's symptoms and medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination and some supporting examinations. These supporting examinations include:

  • endoscope

    Endoscopy is performed to determine the occurrence of irritation or the presence of cancer in the esophageal tract.

  • X-ray photo

    In this examination, the patient is asked to drink a dye (contrast), so that the esophageal tract will be clearly visible when an X-ray is performed.

  • Biopsy

    In this examination, the doctor will take a sample of esophageal tissue for later examination in the laboratory. The purpose of the biopsy is to determine the presence of cancer cells.

After confirming the presence of cancer cells, the doctor can perform other tests to determine the stage and spread of cancer. The examination is in the form of a chest X-ray or CT scan. From these examinations, doctors can determine the stage of cancer which consists of:

  • Stage 1

    At this stage, the cancer is still in the lining of the esophagus and has not spread to surrounding tissues, such as the lymph nodes.

  • Stage 2

    In stage 2A, cancer cells have grown to cover the outer layer of the esophagus. In stage 2B, the cancer has passed through the muscle layer and spread to the lymph nodes.

  • Stage 3

    Stage 3A indicates that the cancer cells have reached the tissue that covers the lungs (pleura) and the muscles under the ribs. Stage 3B indicates cancer cells have grown to cover the outer layer of the esophagus and spread to the lining of the lymph nodes around the esophagus.

  • Stage 4

    This stage indicates the cancer is at an advanced stage and has spread to other organs, including the liver or lungs.

Esophageal Cancer Treatment

Esophageal cancer treatment will be tailored to the location and stage of the cancer. The types of treatment for esophageal cancer are:

1. Operation

Surgery may be performed to remove small cancerous tissue, part of the cancerous esophagus (esophagectomy), or part of the esophagus and upper part of the stomach (esophagogastrectomy). Surgeons can perform surgery by open surgical methods or by laparoscopy. The type of surgery performed will be adjusted to the patient's condition.

2. Chemotherapy

This procedure is done by giving drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be done before or after surgery, as well as in combination with radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy can cause a number of side effects, including nausea, weight loss, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, infection, easy bleeding and bruising.

3. Radiotherapy

This therapy is done by using a special light to kill cancer cells. Usually this therapy is combined with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is done every day, for 2-6 weeks.

The side effects that patients can feel after undergoing radiotherapy include skin reactions such as burning or pain, difficulty swallowing food and drinks, and damage to organs around the location of the tumor growth.

4. Targeted therapy

This method of treatment is aimed at inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells growing in the esophagus, using special drugs.

5. Other therapies

In addition to the four methods above, esophageal cancer can also be treated with the following procedures:

  • Immunotherapy, to increase the immune system to attack cancer cells with special drugs.
  • Electrocoagulation, to destroy cancer cells with an electric current.
  • Cryotherapy, to freeze and help shrink cancer cells.

Esophageal cancer can cause sufferers to have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). This condition is at risk of causing nutritional deficiencies. To treat dysphagia, doctors can ask patients to improve their diet, exercise the muscles in the esophagus, and improve body position when eating.

Esophageal Cancer Complications

Esophageal cancer can cause a number of complications, namely:

  • blockage esophagus

    Esophageal cancer can cause the diameter of the esophagus to shrink so that it is difficult for food and drink to pass through the esophagus.

  • Painful around the neck

    Esophageal cancer that has reached an advanced stage can cause pain in the neck and surrounding areas.

  • Esophageal bleeding

    Bleeding in the esophagus due to cancer usually appears gradually, but can also appear suddenly.

  • Complications after operation

    After esophageal cancer surgery, patients are at risk for complications such as infection, bleeding in the operating area, and tearing of the esophagus.

Handling that can be done if complications occur include removing esophageal obstruction by installing special medical devices to keep the esophagus open. Another action is the installation of a tube to provide food intake, if the patient has difficulty swallowing after undergoing esophageal surgery.

Esophageal Cancer Prevention

There are several steps you can take to prevent esophageal cancer and lower its risk, including:

  • Limit alcohol consumption.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Increase consumption of high-fiber foods, such as vegetables and fruit.
  • Maintain an ideal body weight.