Nearly 15,000 cases of esophageal cancer are reported every year. The greatest risk factor comes from a condition known as Barrett's esophagus, a change in the tisue of the esophagus just before the somach, caused by gastric reflux.
There are two varieties of this cancer, one squamous carcinoma, found in the upper part of the esophaqgus and the other adenocarcinoma, occurring in the lower third of the esophagus.
Like many other cancers, the early stages iof esophageal cancer are asymoptomatic; so unfortunately most cases are not diagnoses till they're in advanced stages. Difficulty swllowing is the most common symptom. Hiccups, weight loss and vomiting can also be symptoms.
Conventional oncologic treatment calls for major surgerty, removing part of the esophagus and possibly part of the stomach. Chemotherapyand radiation are administerede after the surgery. The survival rate is low; around 20 % five years after diagnosis, often accompanyed with serious complications in talking, swallowing, eating and drinking.
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