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Esophageal Cancer involves the organ called esophagus. Esophagus is a muscular tube that joins the mouth and the stomach. Most common region where cancer develops in esophagus is the lining. Degeneration of squamous cells, which constitutes most of lining, leads into a malignant tumor and is called squamous cell cancer.
Towards the bottom of the esophagus, where it joins the stomach is lined with columnar cells. Esophageal Cancer (malignant) of such columnar cells is known as adenocarcinomas. Compared to cancers of breast, lung, and prostate esophageal cancer is less common. On average 12,000 to 18,000 new cases appear every year in the US. Esophageal cancer is most common in people in the age range of 50’s – 70’s.
Factors:
Heavy use of alcohol, tobacco smoking increases chances of developing squamous cell cancer. People who suffer from esophageal diseases, human papilloma virus are also at increased risk of developing cancer.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of esophageal cancer include difficulty in swallowing, sticking of food before reaching the stomach. In extreme cases even liquid is hard to swallow. It may cause weight loss, regurgitation of undigested food, and blood in vomit.
Treatment:
As with any other forms of cancer, treatment depends upon how early the esophageal cancer is diagnosed. If the cancer hasn’t spread it is possible to surgically remove the tumor from the esophagus. If it has spread then chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the most common treatment.