Definition and causes


Cancer of the esophagus is a relatively rare disorder and is diagnosed around. 400 new cases per year. ¾-share is over 60 years, when the disease was discovered, and men are affected three times more frequently than women. In about. half of the cases the cancer is localized to the lower third of the esophagus.

We do not know the exact cause of the cancer in the esophagus developed, but it seems that there is a connection with smoking and high alcohol intake. In addition, there are 30 times greater risk of cancer, if you have developed the so-called Barrets possible oesophageal accordance with long-term stomach acids immediately.

Symptoms of cancer of the esophagus


The symptoms result from narrowing of the esophagus or due indvækst in nearby organs:

  • Dysphagiais hovedsymptomet (initially to solid foods, but later also to liquid food).

  • Weight loss(because of trouble swallowing).

  • Vomitingufordøjede of food residues (possibly blodtilblandet).

  • Pain(due to expansion of the narrowed esophagus during meals or as a result of indvækst in other organs).

  • Hoarseness(may occur if the cancer grows into the nerve that controls strubens muscles).


Precautions and diagnosis


If you have these symptoms should seek medical advice. If the physician suspects cancer of the esophagus, we referred to the hospital. It made a kikkertundersøgelse of the esophagus with the procurement of tissue (biopsy). If you suspect that the cancer has spread, which made a CT scan (see photo studies) to assess the extent spredningens.

Treatment of cancer of the esophagus


The only possibility for cure is surgery. However, it is only approximately. 1/3- part, it is possible to operate because the cancer often has spread at the time of diagnosis, and it is not all that surgery, which will be cured. Any operation combined with radiation. This is done mainly by cancer in the upper part of the esophagus, because the cancer can be difficult to remove here. Sometimes given radiotherapy as palliative (symptom-relieving but not cure

Select and complications


It divides cancer in the esophagus in four stages in the light of the prevalence and spread. In the first stage the cancer is localized to the mucous membranes, while cancer of stage four has spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs.

Cancer of the esophagus is severe, and only if it is detected early, there is a good chance for cure. The prognosis is generally poor, particularly if the cancer is in stage three or four.

 







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