Oesophageal cancer is malignancy of the oesophagus. Cancer attack in the oesophagus is not uncommon. The oesophagus is a muscular tube that connects the oro-pharynx to the stomach. The food bolus goes to stomach from the mouth cavity through pharynx, by oesophageal motility.This oesophagus is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower. Generally, cancer of this part affects middle aged persons both male and female, but it can strike earlier too. Oesophageal cancer can spread to surrounding structure, i.e. chest Smoking and consumption of alcohol, paan, zarda, etc are the most important factors for oesophageal malignancy.
Causes oesophageal cancer:
As there are no definite causes identified for oesophageal cancer, there is no definitive preventive strategy. But refraining from smoking and consumption of alcohol diminish somewhat the possibility of oesophageal cancer.
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer:
It is characterized by difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), both solid and liquid. The patient has difficulty at first in swallowing solid food, then semi-solid and ultimately liquid also. The symptoms also include pain in the chest, weight loss, anaemia and fever. Ultimately, the patient may not even be able to swallow his saliva too.
Diagnosis of oesophageal cancer:
Diagnosis of oesophageal cancer could be through the following procedures:
1) Barium X-ray
2) Endoscopy and Biopsy from the suspected area
3) Oesophageal washings for examination of any cancer cell.
Treatment of oesophageal cancer:
The mode of treatment depends on which stage the disease is diagnosed. Treatment could be in the form of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and even a combination of all of these.
When the disease is in an advanced form, (the stage when the patient cannot swallow food) then palliative treatment consisting of oesophageal dilatation is followed by placement of a stent (which may be covered or uncovered) to enable the patient to swallow food.
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