What is oesophageal cancer?

Oesophageal cancer is a cancer that develops in the oesophagus, which is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. According to the oesophagus cancer doctor in Kolkata, the most common oesophageal cancers are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the flat cells lining the oesophagus, while adenocarcinoma develops in the glandular cells in the lower part of the oesophagus.

The symptoms of oesophageal cancer may vary depending on the location and stage of cancer. According to a medical oncologist in Kolkata, in the early stages, oesophageal cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As cancer grows and spreads, however, the following symptoms may develop :

1. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) 2. Painful swallowing (odynophagia) 3. Weight loss 4 . Chest pain or discomfort 5. Persistent cough 6. Hoarseness 7. Regurgitation

The exact cause of oesophageal cancer is not known, but there are several factors that may increase the risk of developing the disease. A cancer doctor in Kolkata discusses below the common causes and risk factors for oesophageal cancer.

1. Age : Oesophageal cancer is more common in people over the age of 50. 2. Gender : Men are more likely to develop oesophageal cancer than women. 3. Tobacco use : Smoking or using other forms of tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, increases the risk of oesophageal cancer. 4. Alcohol consumption : Heavy alcohol consumption is a risk factor for oesophageal cancer, particularly when combined with tobacco use. 5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) : Chronic acid reflux, which can damage the lining of the oesophagus, can increase the risk of developing adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. 6. Barrett’s oesophagus : This is a condition in which cells lining the lower part of the oesophagus change and become more like the cells lining the small intestine. People with Barrett’s oesophagus have an increased risk of developing adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. 7. Obesity : Being obese or overweight increases the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma. 8. Family history : People who have a family history of oesophageal cancer are at a high risk of developing the disease. 9. Diet : A diet that is low in fruits and vegetables and rich in processed foods and red meat may increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.

Some of the common treatments for oesophageal cancer include :

1. Chemotherapy : It is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is often used along with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy, to shrink tumours before surgery or to kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery. 2. Radiation therapy : It uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, or alone to treat oesophageal cancer. 3. Targeted therapy : Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific proteins or other molecules that help cancer cells grow and spread. This treatment is usually reserved for advanced-stage oesophageal cancer that has spread to the other parts of your body. 4. Immunotherapy :Immunotherapy is a newer type of cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. It is currently being studied as a potential treatment for oesophageal cancer. 5. Surgery : Surgery is often the preferred treatment for oesophageal cancer, particularly in the early stages. The type of surgery may vary depending on the location and size of the tumour and may involve removing part or all of the oesophagus.