Esophageal Cancer
What
is esophageal cancer?
The esophagus is a muscular tube that extends from the neck to the abdomen
and connects the
mouth to the stomach. Cancer, or a malignant tumor, is the result of
uncontrolled growth of cells
located in a particular region of the body. The lining of the esophagus is
the most common region
for cancers of the esophagus to begin. Most of the length of the
esophageal is lined with
squamous cells, which, if they degenerate into a malignant tumor, give
rise to squamous cell
cancer. The very bottom portion of the esophagus and the region where the
esophagus and
stomach join are lined with columnar cells that can give rise to malignant
tumors called
adenocarcinomas. Other rare forms of esophageal cancer include sarcoma and
small cell cancer.
Esophageal cancer is not nearly as common as cancers of the breast, lung,
prostate, or colon. The
likelihood of being cured of cancer depends in large part on the stage of
the cancer at the time it
is diagnosed.
The risk factors for
squamous cell cancer include smoking tobacco and heavy use of alcohol.
People who are infected with human papilloma virus are also at increased
risk. Those who suffer
from achalasia (a benign esophageal disease), chronic scarring of the
esophagus due to prior
injury, or tylosis (a rare genetic disorder) are also at increased risk.
The most common symptom of
esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing, or the sticking of food before
it gets into the stomach.
This is usually a progressive problem which begins initially when large
pieces of poorly chewed food
are swallowed, but can worsen to the point that thin liquids won't go down
easily. Esophageal
cancer may also cause weight loss, pain with swallowing, regurgitation of
undigested food, and
bleeding manifested by vomiting blood or passing old blood with bowel
movements. If an
esophageal cancer is diagnosed, staging is the process that physicians use
to determine how
advanced the cancer is and whether the cancer has spread. Depending on the
type of cancer,
specific staging tests are performed aimed at investigating the most
common areas for that cancer
to spread. For esophageal cancer, the common areas of spread are the lymph
glands (or lymph
nodes), lungs, liver, adrenal glands, kidneys, bones, and lining of the
chest and abdomen.
What is
“Cancer” Insurance?
Cancer insurance provides benefits
only if you get cancer. If yes, then Cancer policies sold today
vary widely in cost and coverage. If you decide to purchase a cancer
insurance policy, contact
different companies and agents, and compare the policies before you buy.
Cancer insurance is
sometimes referred to as a specified disease or dreaded disease policy. It
is also necessary if you
are considering the purchase of cancer insurance or other specified
disease type coverage, it is a
good idea to carefully review your current health insurance policies.
Before going for cancer
insurance you should make it clear from agent or company that all expenses
will be covered by
policy or only hospital costs will be bared by cancer insurance policy.
Many cancer insurance
policies have fixed cost limits. Cancer insurance is not a substitute for
comprehensive coverage.
What is
esophageal cancer?
How common is esophageal cancer?
What causes esophageal cancer?
Who gets esophageal cancer?
What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?
How do I know if I have esophageal cancer?
What evaluation is appropriate to diagnose esophageal cancer?
How is staging of esophageal cancer performed?
How is esophageal cancer treated?
What is the prognosis for esophageal cancer? |
