Esophageal cancer treatment in Rockville, US
Esophageal cancer is a cancer that arises from the cells lining the esophagus. The tumor can cause an obstruction of the esophagus and it can spread to lymph nodes and distant organs. There are two types of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weight loss
- Chest pain
- Hoarseness
Risk factors:
Squamous cell carcinoma
- Smoking
- Alcohol
Adenocarcinoma
- GERD
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Obesity
- Smoking
Diagnosis:
Upper endoscopy: while the patient is sedated the doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera and a light at its tip from the mouth down to the esophagus. He will take small pieces of tissue from the esophagus (biopsies). The tissue will be examined under the microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present.
Treatment:
The treatment of esophageal cancer depends on the type of cancer as well as the stage of the tumor. One or more likely a combination of the following options may be used:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
