What is Esophageal Cancer?

Description of the disease

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the tissues of the esophagus. This disease can be potentially life-threatening, so it is important to know its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Classification

• Epithelial tumors
• Sarcomas
• Other rare types of cancer

Symptoms

• Difficulty and pain when swallowing
• Chest pain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Unexplained weight loss

Causes

The main cause of esophageal cancer is considered to be the prolonged exposure to various harmful factors, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, prolonged suppression of food, esophageal diseases, etc.

Diagnosis

Various methods may be used to diagnose esophageal cancer: gastroscopy, biopsy, computed tomography, and others.

Treatment

Treatment of esophageal cancer depends on the stage of the disease and may include surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and other methods.

Prevention

Main measures for preventing esophageal cancer include a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and alcohol abuse, and regular medical observation.

Doctor

Treatment of esophageal cancer is carried out by an oncologist-gastroenterologist.