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Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer
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What is Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer?
The esophagus is a tubular structure approximately 25–30 centimeters long that connects the mouth to the stomach. It is located between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The esophagus is composed of multiple layers, including the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and outer membrane. Within the mucosal layer, there are numerous mucus glands that secrete mucus to help food pass through the esophagus smoothly.
The contraction of the muscular layer, known as peristalsis, propels food toward the stomach. The main function of the esophagus is to transport chewed food from the mouth to the stomach for digestion and absorption.
Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the esophagus. In its early stages, it often presents no obvious symptoms. However, as the tumor enlarges and begins to block the esophageal passage, symptoms such as difficulty swallowing begin to appear. Other symptoms may include painful swallowing, food regurgitation, a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, and pain behind the sternum or in the upper abdomen.
Esophageal cancer is associated with a relatively poor prognosis, and patients often seek medical attention only after symptoms become noticeable—by which time the disease is usually in an advanced stage.
Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the esophagus. In its early stages, it often presents no obvious symptoms. However, as the tumor enlarges and begins to block the esophageal passage, symptoms such as difficulty swallowing begin to appear. Other symptoms may include painful swallowing, food regurgitation, a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, and pain behind the sternum or in the upper abdomen.
Esophageal cancer is associated with a relatively poor prognosis, and patients often seek medical attention only after symptoms become noticeable—by which time the disease is usually in an advanced stage.
Causes of Esophageal Cancer
- Chronic smoking: Smoking is one of the leading risk factors for esophageal cancer. Harmful substances in tobacco can damage the cells of the esophageal lining and increase the risk of cancer development.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking is also linked to a higher risk of esophageal cancer. Alcohol can harm esophageal cells and promote cancer formation.
- Dietary factors: Consuming excessively hot foods, insufficient vegetables and fruits, high-fat diets, pickled foods, and large amounts of red meat may all increase the risk.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Long-term GERD can damage the esophageal lining and increase the risk of cancer cell formation.
Symptoms may vary from person to person and change as the disease progresses. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): Tumors may block the esophagus, causing food to get stuck or making swallowing difficult.
- Chest pain: When cancer spreads to surrounding tissues, it may cause discomfort or pain in the chest or upper abdomen.
- Indigestion: The normal function of the esophagus may be disrupted, leading to indigestion, heartburn, or nausea.
- Weight loss: Difficulty swallowing and digestive issues may lead to weight loss and malnutrition.
- Cough and voice changes: If the cancer spreads to the trachea or larynx, it may cause coughing, hoarseness, or breathing difficulties.
Proton Therapy for Esophageal Cancer
One of the major advantages of proton therapy is its accuracy and precision. Proton therapy allows physicians to better control the shape and location of the radiation dose, minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This helps reduce side effects during and after treatment while improving treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Proton therapy can be used for both early-stage and advanced esophageal cancer. For early-stage cancer, it offers the potential for local control and preservation of esophageal function. For advanced cases, proton therapy can be part of a comprehensive treatment approach to shrink the tumor and improve the feasibility of surgical removal.
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