Esophageal cancer is cancer of the esophagus, or the pipe that carries food between the throat and the stomach.
As of 2012, esophageal cancer is the eighth-most common cancer globally with 456,000 new cases diagnosed during the year and about 400,000 deaths, up from 345,000 deaths only 20 years ago. Esophageal cancer is around three times more common in men than in women.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer:
Symptoms of esophageal cancer vary from person to person. Patients may experience mild to severe symptoms—or sometimes no symptoms at all. Symptoms may include:
Esophageal cancer can sometimes be difficult to detect. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away. Esophageal cancer can be more successfully treated if it is diagnosed in its early stages, before it spreads to other areas of the body.
There are several lifestyle habits and health conditions that increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer, including:
Accurate diagnosis is essential to successful treatment of esophageal cancer. The physicians at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center may use one or more of the following tests to determine if you have cancer, if your cancer has spread or if your treatment is working:
If you are diagnosed with esophageal cancer, staging is a very important factor in determining treatment. Your doctor will evaluate the type of esophageal cancer, the extent, and whether or not it has spread. Then, your doctor will assign an appropriate stage to help guide your treatment.
When it comes to treating esophageal cancer, it is important that you and your doctor discuss all of your treatment options—along with possible side effects—before making a decision. Treatment options may include:
Surgery. Your doctor may recommend an esophagectomy, which is the removal of a segment of the esophagus, to treat esophageal cancer. A minimally invasive procedure called an endoscopic resection may also be recommended to treat early-stage, localized esophageal cancer. Early-stage esophageal cancer may be treated with surgery alone; later-stage esophageal cancer may also require chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be recommended to kill cancer cells. You may receive chemotherapy treatments through a vein in your arm or a pill. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with radiation and/or surgery.
Radiation. Radiation uses beams of energy to stop the growth of cancer cells. Radiation may be used in combination with chemotherapy and/surgery.
Laser therapy. If the cancer cannot be removed with surgery, laser therapy may be used to deliver high-intensity light to kill tumor cells. Removing a blockage in the esophagus can help reduce pain and difficulty swallowing.
Palliative Care. If your cancer is extensive or if you are not fit enough to undergo surgery, your physician may recommend palliative care to maximize your quality of life. If you and your doctor decide that palliative care is right for you, a team of UPMC physicians, nurses, and other health care workers will help you and your family navigate the issues that arise once a cancer diagnosis is made. Your doctor may recommend a procedure called palliative esophageal stenting, which may help you to swallow and allow you to tolerate a soft diet. For patients who cannot swallow at all, a feeding tube can be used to provide direct access to the stomach.
When it comes to health care for you and your family, UPMC is here. It's easy to find the right doctor, health screenings, programs, classes, and more.
Contact UPMC in central Pa.