Heath, 1

Hampton University

Esophageal Cancer

Maia Heath

English 102-01

Prof. Trent Kays

4 May 2017
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Maia Heath

English 102-01

Prof. Trent Kays

4 May 2017

What really is Esophageal Cancer?

Esophageal cancer is cancer in the long hollow tube that goes from the throat to the

stomach, known as the esophagus. In the esophagus are multiple layers of tissue that

contain mucous membrane, muscle, and connective tissue. The cancer starts on the

innermost lining then goes outward to other layers as it progresses. "Esophageal cancer is

the eighth most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world,

with the majority of cases occurring in developing countries"(Mir and Dar 75).

Esophageal cancer, more common in Asia and Africa than in the United States, has no

cure but various treatments for different stages and there are also ways to lessen your risk.

"The most common histologic types are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and

adenocarcinoma (AC), which together constitute more than 90% of esophageal

malignancies" (Absi, Adelstein, Rice). AC is often found in the lower part of the

esophagus, closer to the stomach. Ac is the most common type of esophageal cancer in

the United States and Western Europe and has been increasing since the 1970's. It is said

that ACC is starting to appear in many western countries, not excluding the UK, Norway,

or Denmark. Ac also is linked to obesity and cause by acid reflux.

SCC is often found in the uppermost part of the esophagus. SCC is not common in

the U.S. but its common around the world. Central Asia, China, and regions in India have

the highest SCC rate in the world. SCC can be cause by consuming heavy alcohol and
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smoking but there is no single factor that has been said to cause SCC. "Three main

components emerge as important factors: a societal component with poor, rural lifestyle

and general deprivation, status in particular in vitamins and oligo elements; a lifestyle

component with the use of copper utensil in cooking, the consumption of spicy, deep

fried foodstuffs, and the drinking of hot salty tea; and an environmental component with

exposure to high levels of dietary nitrosamines from diverse sources" (Mir and Dar 71).

Esophageal cancer blocks your esophagus which makes it hard to eat or drink. The

risk of food getting into airways is increase. Esophageal cancer patients are also likely to

get pneumonia. Symptoms of esophageal cancer are weight loss without trying, upper

gastrointestinal bleeding, hiccups from phrenic nerve invasion and respiratory fistula. A

cancer patient may also feel a pain behind the breastbone, or indigestion/heartburn.

There are five stages of esophageal cancer ranging from stage 0 up to stage 4. Stage

0 is almost like a pre-cancer because the abnormal cells are only found in the inner layer

but look like cancer cells. The endoscopic treatments that are available for stage 0 are

photodynamic therapy (PTD), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), radiofrequency

ablation (RFA). The other option is to remove the abnormal part of the esophagus with an

esophagostomy. PTD is a combination of photosensitizer and a certain type of light that

kills cancer cells. The drug is injected into the bloodstream and is absorbed by all cells.

After about one to three days after the injection the tumor will be exposed to the special

light. "The photosensitizer in the tumor absorbs the light and produces an active form of

oxygen that destroys nearby cancer cells"(Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer). When

EMR is performed a long narrow tube with a light and camera attached goes down your

throat to reach the cancer. A solution is injected that creates a blister and decreases
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bleeding then suction is used to lift growth from the tissue around. Next a thin wire is put

around the growth and an electric current to cut the growth then seal wound. Finally, the

growth is scooped up in a small basket and taken out to undergo an analysis.

Radiofrequency ablation is "Guided by imaging techniques, the doctor inserts a thin

needle through the skin and into the tumor. High-frequency electrical energy delivered

through this needle heats and destroys the tumor. Months after the procedure, dead cells

turn into a harmless scar" (Mayo Clinic Staff). Stage I can be treated by EMR and then

followed by a type of endoscopic procedure to rid the area of any abnormalities. It can

also be treated with endoscopic ablation, radiation, and chemo (chemotherapy). Herceptin

can also be given with chemo if no radiation was already given. "Chemotherapy is a drug

treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body"(Mayo

Clinic Staff). Stage II and III can be treated with chemo radiation or regular

chemotherapy. Stage IV is hard to get rid of because it has spread. Radiation therapy

could be given to help ease the pain of swallowing. Treatment can temporarily remove

the cancer but there is always a chance that it can come back. If the treatment removes

the cancer the doctor will still routinely check up on you to see if the cancer has returned.

Though it can be temporarily removed there is not certain length that the cancer is gone,

the time "cancer free" is different for every person. There are side effects to all cancer

treatments that can last from a few months to the rest of the cancer patients life. Mr.

Michael Gould, a strong and well respected teacher at Holy Cross, has cancer. He is a

prime example of someone living with cancer. Mr. Gould continues to live his life despite

the cancer. Esophageal cancer has affected him in several ways but most devastating

affect is the slow loss of eyesight. He still coaches track, teaches, and mentors many
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students weather they are in his classroom or not.

Men are more susceptible to esophageal cancer but there are ways to lessen the risk

of esophageal cancer. There are various ways to lessen your risk by not smoking, limiting

the amount of alcohol you drink, controlling gastroesophageal reflux disease, and

watching your weight/eating right. Watching your weight is important because the extra

weight can add pressure to lower esophageal sphincter which can cause a hiatal hernia.

Your doctor diagnoses esophageal cancer by doing a chest x-ray, barium swallow or a

physical exam. A barium swallow is " a series of x-rays of the esophagus and stomach.

The patient drinks a liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound). The

liquid coats the esophagus and stomach, and x-rays are taken. This procedure is also

called an upper GI series" (Esophageal Cancer Treatment).

There are 30 known celebrities that have died from Esophageal cancer, most are from

the 1900's. There are many charities and foundations that provide awareness to the public

about esophageal cancer. Some foundations/charities are Esophageal Cancer Action

Network, Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, and Esophageal Cancer Education

Foundation.
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Absi, Ahmed, David J. Adelstein, and Thomas Rice. "Esophageal Cancer." Esophageal

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Mayo Staff Clinic. "Mayo Clinic." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education

and Research, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017

Mir, M. Muzaffar, Dr., and Nazir Ahmad Dar. "Abstract." National Center for

Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 29 June 2005. Web.

24 Apr. 2017

"Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer." National Cancer Institute. National Cancer Institute,

6 Sept. 2011. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.

Rodriguez, Diana. "Preventing Esophageal Cancer Through Lifestyle Choices." Everyday

Health. Everyday Health Media, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.

"Treating Cancer of the Esophagus by Stage." Treating Cancer of the Esophagus by

Stage. American Cancer Society, 22 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.

"Types of EC." ECAA Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association. Esophageal Cancer

Awareness Association, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.

"What Happens after Treatment for Cancer of the Esophagus?" What Happens after

Treatment for Cancer of the Esophagus? American Cancer Society, 21 May 2014.

Web. 24 Apr. 2017.