About Oesophagus Cancer
Oesophagus, also known as the food pipe, is a muscular tube like structure lined with squamous cells in its upper part and columnar cells in its bottom part. About 26 cm long, it is located between the windpipe (trachea) and the spinal cord. It is a part of the digestive system that carries food from the mouth to the stomach with the help of mucus produced by the gland in the muscular wall of oesophagus.
Oesophagus cancer, the cancer of oesophagus is a rare cancer that usually occurs in people over the age of 55. Depending upon the type of cells involved it can be squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma (columnar cells).
linkRisk Factors:
- Tobacco and alcohol: Smoking cigarettes, pipes, hookah and heavy drinking are some of the main risk factor for esophageal cancer
- GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease): In GERD, the acid from the stomach back up into the oesophagus significantly increase the risk of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. Around 30% of oesophagealcancer is related to Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Barrett's oesophagus: A condition that affects the lower part of the oesophagus and can lead to oesophagealcancer. Barrett's oesophagus may be caused by GERD. Over time, stomach acid in the oesophagus can cause changes in the cells that increase the risk for adenocarcinoma
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Infections
- Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria which can cause ulcer and inflammation resulting in adenocarcinoma
- According to research people infected with Human papillomavirus are more likely to develop oesophageal cancer
- Other factors: Disease like Achalasia (Valve insufficiency between oesophagus and stomach) or tylosis (genetic disorder) is linked with oesophageal cancer
linkSymptoms:
There are very few symptoms of oesophagealcancer known, these include:
- Difficulty in swallowing: Pain, burning sensation or cough when swallowing solid, semi solid or even liquids.
- Other symptoms include vomiting, weight loss, weakness, indigestion and hoarseness
Doctor should be consulted if any of the above mentioned symptoms occur on a regular basis.
linkDiagnosis:
- Endoscopy: A thin flexible tube is inserted in the mouth and a small part of the tissue is taken which is viewed under the microscope to find any abnormalities (Biopsy)
- X-ray: It is done to look for metastases
- Barium swallow: It is a type of x-ray test that shows the outline of the inside of the digestive system to find abnormalities
- CT/MRI scans of the chest and upper abdomen: It is done for staging purposes
- Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PETCT) scan: It is done for accuracy of staging
linkPrevention:
- Quit smoking
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Maintain a healthy weight by regularly exercising
- Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet
linkTreatment:
Your oesophageal cancer treatment is based on - where in the oesophagus the cancer is, the size, the extent of disease and the present condition. Your esophageal cancer treatment care plan should also include a treatment for symptoms and side effects that occur because of Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy, an important part of the cancer care. For people with a tumour which has not spread across the esophagus, conventional doctors suggest combining different types of treatment such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The order of the esophageal cancer treatment can vary and several other factors are considered. However, for treatment of esophageal cancer in the advanced stages, conventional treatment majorly involves radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
However, Cancer healer therapy by Cancer Healer Centre helps to treat both types of esophageal cancer. Medicines work on the principle of Immunotherapy and help to enhance the normal cell growth which can fight back with the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells causing the reduction or narrowing of food passage.As cancer healer therapy is through oral medicines, so it is easy to take making it one of the favoured esophageal cancer treatment. In cases where patients have difficulty in swallowing, they can take the medicines without any side effects. When medicines act on cancer, it helps patients to recover with improved quality of life, even at advanced stages followed by better chances of survival.
In a few cases, where the narrowing of the food pipe is to an extent where the patient is not able to take liquids as well; a procedure to insert a hollow tube called stent may be recommended. In a case where already the oesophagus thickness is causing luminal narrowing giving radiations might increase the amount of oedema in that part causing further narrowing of that region. Immunotherapy treatment, on the other hand, does not produce any side effects and helps in restricting the further growth of the disease and helps in bringing a state of stability first followed by an improved quality of life for the patient. The cancer healer medicines have helped patients by giving them better survival chances. For better guidance regarding the treatment for Oesophageal Cancer, kindly visit the center!
