This cancer forms in the tissues lining the esophagus (food pipe). It is a long tube that passes food through throat to the stomach. In United States it causes an estimated 14,500 deaths due to this cancer in 2010 and 16,640 new cases occurred. Esophageal cancer usually causes difficulty in swallowing food (dysphasia), pain in the affected region and other symptoms.
Types
Most esophageal cancers are either:
Adenocarcinomas are linked with Barerett’s esophagus and a history of gatroesophageal reflux disease.
Rare types of esophageal cancer are non-epithelial tumors such as, tymphoma, malignant melanoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomysarcoma and variants of the squamous cell carcinoma.
In its advanced stage, esophageal cancer may cause superior vena cava syndrome or upper airway obstruction. It may also increase the risk of getting pneumonia by developing fistulas between esophagus and the trachea (wind pipe). Cough and fever also occur in this condition.
Causes
Various causative factors for esophageous cancer are:
Types
Most esophageal cancers are either:
- Squamous cell carcinoma or
- Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinomas are linked with Barerett’s esophagus and a history of gatroesophageal reflux disease.
Rare types of esophageal cancer are non-epithelial tumors such as, tymphoma, malignant melanoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomysarcoma and variants of the squamous cell carcinoma.
Signs and symptoms
Esophageal cancer shows these signs:- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Painful swallowing ( odynophagia)
- Weight loss due to reduced appetite or unhealthy diet
- Pain in epigastrium or behind sternum
- Heartburn
- Cough usually husky, hoarse sounding
- Nausea, vomiting
- Blood in vomit (hematemesis)
In its advanced stage, esophageal cancer may cause superior vena cava syndrome or upper airway obstruction. It may also increase the risk of getting pneumonia by developing fistulas between esophagus and the trachea (wind pipe). Cough and fever also occur in this condition.
Causes
Various causative factors for esophageous cancer are:
- Male gender
- Older age, over 60 years
- Tobacco smoking and alcohol intake
- Genetic history
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Gestroesophageal reflux disease ( GRED)
- Obesity is a risk factor
- Thermal injury caused by consuming hot drinks
- Achalasia
- Corrosive injury to esophagus by swallowing strong acids or alkaline substance
- Nitrosamine or other dietary elements
- Tylosis and Howel-Evans syndrome
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome
- History of other head and neck cancers
- Radiotherapy in a condition mediastinum
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