Esophageal cancer is a kind of cancer that is found in the tissue of the hollow muscular region identified as the esophagus. This part is used to transport food and liquid to the belly. This kind of cancer normally begins in the lining of the esophagus in the inner region, and continues to spread in an outer mode.

Symptoms

Preliminary symptoms consist of odynophagia or pain when swallowing, or dysphagia i.e. trouble swallowing. Trouble in swallowing is usually the first obvious symptom that is there. Pain, very close to heartburn, can present as severe and will degrade when the patient tries to swallow any but the softest of foodstuffs or fluids. This pain is present virtually every day, with little to no respite from common heartburn medicines. Another symptom in nearness to the throat is a croaky or hoarse cough, which is a consequence of the cancer progressing on the laryngeal nerve. The tumor might produce extra symptoms that embrace vomiting blood, nausea, lack of appetite and swift weight loss, accompanied by an augmented risk of contracting aspiration linked pneumonia.

Risk factors

Alcohol consumption upsurges the probability of developing esophageal cancer. Certain ailments, disorders and medical processes might also incline one to developing esophageal cancer like achalasia, esophageal diverticuli, acidic injury to the esophagus and past of radiotherapy in the mediastinum.

Diagnosis

This cancer is most simply identified via a series of tests including endoscopy, PET and CT scans. Other tests might consist of esophagoscopy, brush cytology, balloon cytology, biopsy, fluorescence spectroscopy and chromoendoscopy.

Treatment

Treatment in Varanasi emphasizes on taking out the cancer via surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation might also be used. The most common operation for handling esophageal cancer is esophagectomy, in which the doctor takes out the affected portion of the esophagus. Palliative treatments differ extensively and often comprise medicine, dietary modifications, relaxation methods, emotional and spiritual support and other therapies.