When esophageal cancer swamps you...

A person is affected by esophageal cancer when the cells in the esophagus develop mutations in their DNA that make the cells divide and grow out of control, writes Dr Nanda Rajaneesh

The use of tobacco and consumption of alcohol affects health in many ways and it is one of the leading risk factors for esophageal cancer which is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in India due to the use of tobacco among both men and women.

Esophagus is a long, hollow tube that passes through the throat to the stomach and esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus. Esophagus is responsible to move the swallowed food from the throat to the stomach for digestion. Cancer begins in the cells inside the esophagus line and it can affect any part of the esophagus. In general, esophageal cancer is attributed to consumption of alcohol and tobacco along with a few nutritional habits and obesity. An early diagnosis can make the treatment and recovery easier and might also make cancer treatable to the extent of being cured.

There are two types of esophageal cancer — Squamous cell carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs when cancer begins in thin and flat cells that make the lining of the esophagus. This type of cancer usually appears in the middle or top of esophagus. Adenocarcinoma occurs in the glandular cells of the esophagus that manage the creation of fluids such as mucus. This type of cancer is most common in the lower part of the esophagus.

A person is affected by esophageal cancer when the cells in the esophagus develop mutations in their DNA that make the cells divide and grow out of control. The piled-up abnormal cells contribute to the formation of a tumour in the esophagus which later grows through the nearby structures and spreads across other parts of the body. Esophageal cancer may not show any symptoms at the early stages of cancer, however, as cancer progresses, one can experience symptoms like the following:

Unexpected weight loss.

Heartburn or indigestion.

Difficulty or sometimes pain while
swallowing food.

Regular vomiting and choking while eating.

Fatigue and constant cough.

Food coming back up the esophagus and hiccups.

Esophageal cancer is caused due to chronic irritation of the esophagus. There are various risk factors that set off and increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Some of the risk factors include:

Barrett esophagus which is a condition in which the cells in the lower part of the esophagus have been replaced or changed with abnormal cells that are cancerous.

Gastric reflux, also known as heartburn, increases the risk of esophageal cancer as the acid damages the lining of the esophagus.

Consumption of alcohol and use of tobacco shoots up the risk of esophageal cancer as this increases the chances of Barrett esophagus that eventually leads to esophageal cancer.

People who are over 45 years of age are more at risk of developing esophageal cancer and should do regular screenings to rule out the possibility of cancer.

It is important to maintain a healthy weight as obesity also increases the risk of esophageal cancer and it makes the esophagus Barrett.

It’s imperative to maintain an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables and lead a healthy lifestyle by including a good amount of sleep to prevent the risk of esophageal cancer.

Achalasia is a condition in which the muscles of the lower esophagus fail to relax and stop the food from passing into the stomach and this damages the esophagus.

As cancer in the esophagus advances, it will cause complications like blockage of the esophagus making it difficult for the liquid or food to move through the esophagus. When cancer progresses, it causes bleeding which can be sudden and at times severe. There is no sure way that will prevent esophageal cancer but one can adopt certain habits in order to lower the risk of cancer. Avoiding cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco is the key. The risk of esophageal cancer can be lowered by consuming moderate amounts of alcohol. A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and maintaining a healthy weight may also be effective in avoiding the risk of esophageal cancer.

(The author is a general laparoscopic surgeon.)