Causes of Esophageal Cancer, Expert Treatment

Esophageal cancer is one of the serious conditions that demand your extensive care, early treatment, and awareness. This blog helps you understand the causes of Esophageal cancer and its treatment.

What is Esophageal cancer?

The esophagus is a long muscular tube that extends from your throat to your stomach. Its function is to carry the food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer can develop when cancer cells grow in your esophagus or when cells lining the esophagus start to grow uncontrollably. This cancer starts in the inner lining of the esophagus, which invades throughout the layer of the esophagus tissues and other organs. It is more evolved in men as compared to women.

This is of two types:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The lining of the inner layer of the esophagus is typically made up of squamous cells, and the cancer that arises from these cells is known as squamous cell carcinoma. And it’s mostly found in upper or middle parts. It is commonly associated with alcohol consumption and smoking.

Adenocarcinoma: This cancer begins from grand cells which make mucus; it can be because of acid and obesity.

Causes of Esophageal Cancer

Understanding the Causes of Esophageal Cancer can help you to take proper precautions and treatment as early as possible. So, here are some of the causes of esophageal cancer:

1. Excessive Alcohol Consumption:

Regular drinking increases the risk of esophageal cancer. Regular consumption irritates the lining of the esophagus and causes cancer. Moreover, it also increases the risk when taken with smoking.

2. Tabaco:

“Tobacco is injurious to health and causes cancer” we find this slogan on every packet, but we neglect it. Tobacco contains numerous harmful chemicals that can irritate and damage the lining of the esophagus, and this is what leads to esophageal cancer.

3. Gastroesophageal Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):

If you feel some irritation, then it can be because your stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus. It is a precancerous condition, but if it occurs more frequently, then it can develop into esophageal cancer.

4. Obesity:

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of esophageal cancer (in particular, Adenocarcinoma). Even excess body fat contributes to obesity and chronic acid reflux, which can damage your esophageal lining.

5. Poor Dietary Habits:

Today’s people are more into junk food or processed food rather than nutritional food. Intake of junk food as compared to fruits and vegetables can weaken your immune system which makes your body more susceptible for cancer. Moreover, if you are habitual of hot drinks, then it can also burn the line of the esophagus, which also increases the risk of cancer.

6. Human papillomavirus (HPV):

HPV is an infectious virus that can alter the cells of your vocal cords, mouth, hands, feet, and genitals.

7. History of cancer:

People with a family history of Esophageal cancer and various gastrointestinal cancers can also be at risk for cancer. In addition, people with a history of cancers of the head or neck also are at increased risk for esophageal cancer.

8. Barrett’s Esophagus:

It is a disease that manifests at the bottom of the esophagus and may be a result of GERD.

9. Achalasia:

It is a rare disorder that impairs the esophagus’s ability to push food into the stomach. Which causes chronic irritation and inflammation that can increase the risk of cancer.

Treatment of Esophageal Cancer

Treatment of Esophageal cancer depends on the stage of cancer and overall health of the patients. The treatments are:
Esophageal Cancer Surgery

• Esophageal Cancer Surgery in Jaipur is usually performed to remove the tumor or part of the affected esophagus.
• Surgery to remove a portion of the esophagus.
• Surgery to remove the part of the esophagus or upper part of the stomach.

Chemotherapy: It is a powerful medicine that can attack cancer cells, and it is generally used in combination with radiation therapy or surgery.

• Targeted therapy: This is a new treatment that attacks specific cancer cells to stop their growth and spread.
• Immunotherapy: This therapy boosts the immune system to destroy cancer cells.
• Photodynamic therapy: A therapy in which cancer cells are targeted with a special laser light.
• Electrocoagulation: This therapy involves the use of electric current, which helps to destroy cancer cells.
• Cryotherapy: This therapy freezes the cancer cells, after which the tumor starts to shrink.

Final thoughts

Cancer is a disease that not only harms you but also your loved ones. Esophageal cancer is also a life-threatening condition, but with early diagnosis and treatment, you can beat and manage it effectively. By understanding the causes, you can take steps to reduce the risk. But before that, you require a surgeon for consultation who can give you proper advice. Book an appointment with Dr. Saurabh Kalia, an Esophageal Cancer Surgeon in Jaipur who has more than 13 years of experience in this field, because “The best weapon against cancer is a team of skilled doctors and a heart full of hope.”