What is esophageal cancer?

4 May 2021

It occurs when there are cell mutations in the tissue structures of the esophagus, causing uncontrolled development and multiplication, which triggers the appearance of tumors that can spread to other areas of the body.

This is a common type of cancer and one of the seven causes of death from cancer worldwide. It can appear in any part of the esophagus, mainly affecting men and having the following potential risks:

Drinking very hot drinks.
Diet low in fiber and vegetables.
Radiotherapy in the thoracic area.
Gastroesophageal reflux.
Smoking.
Alcoholism.
Barrett’s esophagus.
Overweight and obesity.

There are several types of esophageal cancer, including adenocarcinoma, which is the most common; carcinoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and sarcoma.

Signs and symptoms Esophageal cancer

In its initial stages, esophageal cancer does not usually show symptoms, but as it progresses, the following symptoms begin to appear:

Chest pain.
Tightness and irritation in the chest.
Constant heartburn.
Coughing fits.
Progressive dysphagia.
Decreased body weight.

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately because they could be warning signs of Barrett’s esophagus, which is a condition considered to be at high risk for developing cancer.

Also, remember that cancer can be curable if diagnosed and treated early.

An advanced esophageal cancer causes a series of complications, among which the following stand out:

Constant sharp pain.
Heavy bleeding.
Obstructed esophagus that prevents swallowing.

Diagnosis and treatment Esophageal cancer

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, he or she will perform a physical examination and request a series of tests to establish an accurate diagnosis, such as endoscopy, biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography (PET).

Once esophageal cancer has been diagnosed, the treatment to follow will depend on the degree of progress, the type of tumor, and your health conditions, but the most frequent include:

Surgery to remove tumors and affected tissues.
Chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy.
Immunotherapy.

Since its opening in 2009, our Cancer Center offers chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at the level of the best medical centers in the world through a comprehensive care model for cancer patients.

We include the most innovative therapies in chemotherapy in facilities specially designed for your comfort and peace of mind. In radiotherapy procedures, we provide you with evidence-based treatment plans discussed with experts from Houston Methodist Hospital, using state-of-the-art technological equipment in state-of-the-art facilities.

Related centers and departments Esophageal cancer

Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

cancer.org
cancer.net
cancer.gov
cun.es
mayoclinic.org
medigraphic.com
Cora ES, Avalos GR, del Valle LP, et al. Caracterización clínico-patológica del cáncer esofágico avanzado en el Hospital Universitario ‘Comandante Faustino Pérez’. Matanzas. Rev Méd Electrón. 2019;41(2):382-396.
Cabrera JP, Caselli BE, Elgueta ML, et al. Rechazo o no realización de tratamiento en pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de esófago. Acta Cient Estud. 2008;6(2):53-58.
Barrera OJC, Mederos CON, Castellanos GJA, et al. Tratamiento paliativo en el cáncer de esófago y cardias. Cir Gen. 2018;40(1):17-23.
Cintra BST, Cintra PA, Cintra PS. Cáncer de esófago. Revisión actualizada. RIC. 2016;95(4):635-646.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is esophageal cancer?

Signs and symptoms Esophageal cancer

Diagnosis and treatment Esophageal cancer

Related centers and departments Esophageal cancer

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Esophageal cancer