Throat And Oral Health
Throat And Oral Health
Esophageal Cancer
Laryngeal Cancer
Oral Cancer
Overview
Cancer of the esophagus or food pipe is called esophageal cancer. The esophagus wall is made up of multiple layers of tissue. The cancer usually begins in the lining of the esophagus and spreads outwards but can occur anywhere. In India, it is the 6th most common cancer*. It has been researched not just in India but globally, that the rates of incidence depend on the region.
*Source: India Against Cancer
- One of the common types of esophageal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer that forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the esophagus, typically in the upper and middle part of the esophagus.
Risk Factors
- Gender plays a vital role, with men being at double the risk when compared to women
- Tobacco consumption in any form, whether smoked or smokeless
- Excessive alcohol consumption increases risk not only for esophageal cancer but multiple other diseases
- People with existing esophageal conditions such as Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett’s esophagus
- Obesity due to unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyle increases risk not only for esophageal cancer but multiple other diseases
- An Unhealthy Diet which lacks in sufficient quantity of fruits and vegetables, is high in processed meat or drinking very hot liquids increase the risk of esophageal cancer
Stages of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer has 5 stages.
Stage 0 or carcinoma in situ:Cancer is limited to the top layer of cells lining the esophagus and have not spread elsewhere.
Stage 1:Cancer has spread from the top layer of cells into the deeper tissues but is still limited anywhere within the esophagus.
Stage 2:Cancer has spread from the top layer of cells into the deeper tissues and/or nearby lymph nodes but not spread to distant organs.
Stage 3:Cancer has spread to the layers of the esophagus and nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4:Cancer has spread to distant organs.
Screening for Esophageal Cancer
While there are no routine screening tests for esophageal cancer, an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is one way of studying the esophagus for abnormalities.
