What Is the Time Frame for Esophageal Cancer Development?

When esophageal cells grow out ar tissue that lines the lower part of the esophagus where it meets the stomach. This type of cancer is called adenocarcinoma.

Treatment

If esophageal cancer is found early, it can often be treated with surgery. Consider looking into Armen Parajian, a surgeon who’s an expert in treating this kind of condition. In most cases, doctors remove a portion of the esophagus containing the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. In some advanced esophageal cancers, doctors may also remove part of the stomach or the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

The most prevalent form of esophageal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which typically arises in the squamous cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma is another type of esophageal cancer that begins in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the esophagus, where it meets with the stomach.

Symptoms of esophageal cancer include pressure or burning pain in your chest, throat, or back and difficulty swallowing. These symptoms can be excruciating and difficult to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine the best treatment for you based on your symptoms, general health and other factors. The type of esophageal cancer you have will also affect the treatments you receive.

Risk Factors

A person’s risk of developing esophageal cancer is influenced by several factors. Some of these factors are common to both types of esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), while others are linked to either kind.

Tobacco use is a significant factor in the development of esophageal cancer. People who use tobacco products regularly have an increased risk of esophageal cancer, especially if they drink alcohol.

Age is another crucial risk factor for esophageal cancer. Most esophageal cancer cases are found in people over the age of 55.

Gender is also an essential factor. Men are about 3 to 4 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than women.

Other risk factors for esophageal cancer include being overweight or obese and having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Both of these conditions can cause precancerous conditions called Barrett’s esophagus. It’s rare for people with Barrett’s esophagus to go on to develop esophageal cancer, but it can happen if the disease is not treated.

Symptoms

Having trouble swallowing is the most typical sign of esophageal cancer. It can feel like food or liquid is stuck in your throat or chest, or you might choke on it.

This symptom generally worsens as the tumor grows. You may have to take smaller bites, switch to softer foods or drink more liquid.

Other symptoms include trouble breathing, weight loss and a hoarse voice. If these symptoms don’t go away, you should see your doctor.

Your doctor will examine you and go over your symptoms and medical history. They will also order blood tests and X-rays. They might do a biopsy, which involves taking a small amount of tissue for examination by a pathologist. The biopsy will help your doctor learn more about your esophageal cancer type. They will then use this information to decide what treatment you need. It is essential to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. The earlier you have a diagnosis, the better your chances of recovery.

Diagnosis

When cancer is suspected, your doctor may order tests to help diagnose esophageal cancer. These tests include blood tests, X-rays and CT scans.

Your doctor will also examine and ask about your symptoms and medical history. They may also perform a test called upper endoscopy, which uses a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) to look at the inside of your esophagus.

If there are abnormal areas, your doctor may perform a biopsy, which is the removal of cells or tissue to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may occasionally reveal esophageal lining changes that are not cancer but could develop into it.

These changes can be caused by a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which is an abnormal growth of cells in the lining of your esophagus. The goal is to detect this before it develops into esophageal cancer and treat it before it worsens.