Esophageal cancer attacks the lining of the esophagus---the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach. The cancer can appear at any point along the esophageal tube, but most often will appear near the bottom portion closer to the stomach. Many people diagnosed with esophageal cancer don't display symptoms. Researchers remain uncertain what exactly causes esophageal cancer. Treatment availability is determined by the progression of the cancer (esophageal cancer is rated as Stage 1 to Stage 4 in severity).
Endoscopic Surgery
One of the most common methods to treat esophageal cancer is to operate on the esophagus and remove the cancer. Endoscopic surgery may be performed if the cancer is caught early and the tumor or tumors are small. Endoscopic surgery is performed through a small incision through which an endoscope (a long, narrow tube with a camera attached to one end) is utilized to pinpoint the location of the tumor. The tumor is then removed.
Esophagectomy
An esophagectomy is performed to remove tumors and a potion of the esophagus where tumors were found. Surgeons will also remove nearby lymph nodes to prevent cancerous cells from migrating to other parts of the body via the lymph system. The severed end of the esophagus is connected to the stomach with sutures. If the portion of the esophagus that is removed is large, the surgeon may opt to replace the missing section with a portion of colon.
Esophagogastrectomy
Severe stages of esophageal cancer may require the necessity of removing a portion of the esophagus as well as surrounding lymph nodes and even the upper portion of the stomach.
Chemotherapy
In conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, a chemical injected into the vein of a person diagnosed with cancer, is often utilized to kill any stray cancer cells still in the body. Chemotherapy drugs are very powerful and can kill healthy as well as damaged or diseased cells.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is used in conjunction with chemotherapy, or alone, to kill cancer cells following surgery. Unlike chemotherapy, radiation is a form of high-energy beams focused on specific areas of the body.
Tags: esophageal cancer, cancer cells, conjunction with, diagnosed with, Endoscopic surgery