Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer may not present symptoms in early stages. It most often affects men over
50 years of age.
The condition occurs when cancer cells are developed in the esophagus, a long, tube-like structure that connects the throat and stomach. The esophagus transports swallowed food to the stomach and is part of the upper digestive system.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer:
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Squamous cell carcinoma, in which cancer develops from the thin, flat cells (called squamous), which make up the inner lining of the esophagus.
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Adenocarcinoma, in which the cancer develops from glandular cells in the lining of the esophagus.
Symptoms
In the early stages of esophageal cancer, there may be no symptoms. Later in the course of the disease, symptoms may include:
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Difficulty or pain when swallowing.
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Weight loss.
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Chest pain.
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Coughing and regurgitation.
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Hoarseness.
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vomiting blood
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tarry stools or blood in the stool.
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Indigestion and heartburn.
Esophageal cancer usually cannot be discovered until it is in an advanced stage. It is more common in adults over 50 years of age and in men, who are twice as likely to suffer from it; moreover, this disease is the seventh leading cause of cancer death among men.
In addition to the above, other risk factors for esophageal cancer include:
Smoking.
Excessive alcohol consumption.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
A condition in which stomach contents back up into the lower section of the esophagus; this can irritate the esophagus and eventually lead to the development of Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which the squamous cells of the inner lining in the lower part of the esophagus change or are replaced by other glandular cells. It should be noted that most people with Barrett's esophagus do not develop esophageal cancer; however, in certain cases the glandular cells affected by Barrett's esophagus may become abnormal over time and lead to a precancerous condition called dysplasia. If dysplasia is present, or if there is a family history of Barrett's esophagus, the risk of cancer is higher.
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