Definition: Cancer of the esophagus
Cancer of the esophagus
The esophagus: definition
This is a segment of the gastrointestinal tract that connects the pharynx (lower part of the throat) at the cardia (entrance to the stomach).
Cancer of the esophagus
Approximately 6000 new cases are diagnosed each year. There is growing especially due to the increase in smoking among women. It remains a cancer that affects mostly men (20 to 1 woman).
The causes of esophageal cancer
Alcohol and tobacco are responsible for most cancers of the esophagus. The risk depends on the importance of consumption and increases sharply when mixed with alcohol poisoning and smoking.
Other factors have been identified, such as the consumption of canned craft, meats, barbecued meat or hot drinks. Vitamin deficiencies increase the risk of cancer.
Persons in whom cancer was diagnosed ENT should also be screened for cancer of the esophagus. With common risk factors for both cancers can be linked.
In addition, esophageal lesions predispose to cancer and are found in about 10% of cases.
Symptoms of esophageal cancer
The warning sign is the most important dysphagia that is to say, a discomfort or stop occurring during swallowing and indicating the existence of an obstacle. It usually leads to a reduction in food and weight loss.
The endoscopy is the only test that can diagnose cancer of the esophagus. The review is completed by endoscopic ultrasonography (ultrasound performed during endoscopy).
Treatment of esophageal cancer
The main treatment is surgery of removing the lesion accompanied by all or part of the esophagus is replaced by a portion of the stomach. It can be combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. In the absence of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is to destroy the tumor site.
Despite progress in recent years, esophageal cancer retains a poor prognosis and therapeutic perspectives are insufficient, hence the importance of better prevention by stopping alcohol and tobacco.
The esophagus: definition
This is a segment of the gastrointestinal tract that connects the pharynx (lower part of the throat) at the cardia (entrance to the stomach).
Cancer of the esophagus
Approximately 6000 new cases are diagnosed each year. There is growing especially due to the increase in smoking among women. It remains a cancer that affects mostly men (20 to 1 woman).
The causes of esophageal cancer
Alcohol and tobacco are responsible for most cancers of the esophagus. The risk depends on the importance of consumption and increases sharply when mixed with alcohol poisoning and smoking.
Other factors have been identified, such as the consumption of canned craft, meats, barbecued meat or hot drinks. Vitamin deficiencies increase the risk of cancer.
Persons in whom cancer was diagnosed ENT should also be screened for cancer of the esophagus. With common risk factors for both cancers can be linked.
In addition, esophageal lesions predispose to cancer and are found in about 10% of cases.
Symptoms of esophageal cancer
The warning sign is the most important dysphagia that is to say, a discomfort or stop occurring during swallowing and indicating the existence of an obstacle. It usually leads to a reduction in food and weight loss.
The endoscopy is the only test that can diagnose cancer of the esophagus. The review is completed by endoscopic ultrasonography (ultrasound performed during endoscopy).
Treatment of esophageal cancer
The main treatment is surgery of removing the lesion accompanied by all or part of the esophagus is replaced by a portion of the stomach. It can be combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. In the absence of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is to destroy the tumor site.
Despite progress in recent years, esophageal cancer retains a poor prognosis and therapeutic perspectives are insufficient, hence the importance of better prevention by stopping alcohol and tobacco.
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