Esophagus Cancer, what is it?
The esophagus is a ten inch (in adults) tube that is
used to carry food from your mouth to your stomach. The
esophagus has muscles that contract to push food through.
Lubrication of this tube is accomplished by way of mucous secreting
cells that line the inside of the Esophagus.
Esophagus cancer or also know as Esophageal cancer
Esophageal
Diagnosis
Esophageal cancer usually doesn't present itself as
a problem until the problem reaches advance stages of the cancer.
Effected persons may have problems swallowing - dysphagia.
This is caused when the cancer obstructs the esophagus making it
difficult to have foods such as breads and meat pass through.
Other symptoms such as pain (in the chest) and burning are rare but
do occur - however are usually caused by diseases other than cancer.
Other symptoms of esophageal cancer include weight
loss (usually as an avoidance to certain foods), hiccups and
bleeding (causing stools to appear black).
Treatment
As
with other cancers treatment usually consists with either
chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation or surgery – or a
combination thereof.
