Basics Of Esophageal Cancer: Causes And Symptoms

The esophagus is a tubular path through which food is carried from your throat and delivered to your stomach for digestion. The walls contain muscles which contract in order to move the items you swallow into your stomach. Esophageal cancer (EC) can form in the cells with the esophagus. While this type of cancer is not as prevalent in the U.S. as other types, over 10,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

Below, we’ll explore some of the factors that can lead to the condition and describe who is most at risk. We’ll also take a look at the symptoms that typically manifest in patients who suffer from the disease.

Causes And Risk Factors

The root cause of esophageal cancer is still largely a mystery. Like most forms of the disease, the cells within the esophagus mutate. Those mutations cause them to split and grow. Soon, the growth of mutated cells leads to a tumor within the organ. Eventually, the disease spreads to other sites throughout the body, making a localized approach to treatment far more difficult.

While the causes of EC are not entirely understood, the medical community has identified a series of risk factors that can influence a patient’s susceptibility to the condition. For example, a person’s age plays a role; those who are over 60 years old are more likely to develop EC. So too, are men more vulnerable than women.

The items we consume or use can also be risk factors. For example, heavy use of alcohol and tobacco products (and especially when used together) can lead to esophageal cancer. If a person’s diet is lacking in fruits and vegetables, their risk increases. Obesity is also a factor.

There are physiological elements that can influence a person’s vulnerability to EC. For example, gastroesophageal reflux disease (commonly called GERD) can lead to heartburn as the esophageal sphincter fails to prevent the flow of food from the stomach back into the esophagus.

Recognizing The Symptoms

One of the first signs of esophageal cancer is a difficulty – or discomfort – when swallowing. This can eventually lead to weight loss as a patient becomes less capable of consuming bulky foods such as bread. As a tumor forms, their ability to swallow declines further and often leads to coughing and vomiting. If the surface of the tumor is sensitive, it will bleed. The result is that a person suffering from EC will often begin to vomit blood.

There is a much greater likelihood of treating esophageal cancer successfully (that is, eliminating the cancerous cells and affected tissue) if it is diagnosed early. Patients who manifest any of the symptoms described above should see their doctor immediately. If the disease can be identified while still in Stage I (i.e. still localized and in the top portion of the esophagus), it can usually be cured.

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