Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is cancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach. Symptoms often include difficulty in swallowing and weight loss. Other symptoms may include pain when swallowing, a hoarse voice, enlarged lymph nodes ("glands") around the collarbone, a dry cough, and possibly coughing up or vomiting blood.

The two main sub-types of the disease are esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). A number of less common types also occur. Squamous-cell carcinoma arises from the epithelial cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma arises from glandular cells present in the lower third of the esophagus, often where they have already transformed to intestinal cell type (a condition known as Barrett's esophagus). Causes of the squamous-cell type include tobacco, alcohol, very hot drinks, poor diet, and chewing betel nut. The most common causes of the adenocarcinoma type are smoking tobacco, obesity, and acid reflux.

The disease is diagnosed by biopsy done by an endoscope (a fiber optic camera). Prevention includes stopping smoking and eating a healthy diet.

Cancer is a disease that causes the most serious problems in the world. Chemotherapy's side effects on the patient, both physically and psychologically, is rather harsh. The patient's immune system is weak and therefore, their body doesn't have the ability to heal itself. Here at Advanced Healthcare, our Alternative Treatments involve a multimodal approach which is designed specifically to each patient's needs.