Esophageal cancer is referred to as the malignancy of the esophagus. It is further subdivided to adenocarcinoma and squamous cell cancer. The latter rises from cells that line the upper portion of the esophagus while adenocarcinoma, rise from glandular cells present along the junctions of the stomach and the esophagus.

Symptoms of esophagus cancer include pain, difficulty in swallowing and more. Esophageal tumors can be diagnosed through biopsy. For small and localized tumors, they can be surgically treated with curative intent.

As for the larger tumors, they’re no longer operable and are only treated with palliative care. Growth of these large tumors can be delayed through radiotherapy, chemotherapy or both. There are also cases wherein both radio- and chemotherapy can render even large tumors as still operable.

Esophageal cancer is not common in the United States but it is common to other areas of the world like Asia and parts of Africa. It can develop as a person grows older. It is also more common in men than in women. Susceptible people are those who smoke, drink alcohol or those who have damaged or irritated linings of the esophagus due to swallowing lye and other caustic substances. Patients suffering from head or neck cancers or those who had radiotherapy applied near their esophagus can also develop cancer of the esophagus. This also goes for those who underwent treatment for breast cancer or lymphoma.

Since esophageal cancer has no early symptoms, this makes it difficult to identify its presence at the onset of the condition. However, there are symptoms and signs that can manifest itself in the course of this type of cancer. Aside from pain or difficulty in swallowing, there may be severe weight loss, back pain (behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades), hoarseness and chronic cough as well as weakness, fatigue, swollen neck lymph glands, indigestion and heartburn.

Since malignant tumors can be forerunners of esophagus cancer, as the esophagus tumor grows, there will also be a feeling of fullness, burning and pressure. This is especially noticeable when they eat meat, coarse foods, bread or raw vegetables. As the tumor grows, even water becomes hard or painful to swallow.

Aside from having a biopsy, other diagnosis options include barium X-ray and endoscopy. Although esophageal cancer can still be diagnosed and treated in its late stages, people with this type of cancer are associated with low survival rates and poor quality of life. They seldom reach 5 years after the diagnosis. This makes esophagus cancer one of the deadliest forms of diseases in the world.

Ways to prevent this condition is to quit smoking and to avoid drinking alcohol. Of course, you need to be more careful on what you take into your mouth as they might irritate the esophagus. If you suspect you already have the symptoms, it is important to seek immediate professional help. Lifestyle changes, early detection and treatment are still our best bet to better health and a longer life.