Cancer is the name given to malignant tumors that can occur anywhere in the body. Cancer, which is the cause of death of hundreds of thousands of people every year, is a disease with various types. Cancer, in which genetic predisposition is an extremely important factor, also has cancer types that are more or less likely to be cured. Although cancers detected in the early stage are mostly resolved with chemotherapy or radiotherapy methods, surgical methods are absolutely very important for advanced stage cancers. Esophageal cancer, on the other hand, is a cancer that we encounter frequently today, but it can be diagnosed even earlier than other types of cancer. Ankara esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment, Dr. With Meral Sözen, you will be able to understand many issues such as what is esophageal cancer, how it is diagnosed, what are its symptoms and causes, before and after esophageal cancer surgery, and you will be able to see many unknowns about esophageal cancer.
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What is Esophageal Cancer?
The muscle tissue in the form of a tube, which is responsible for the passage of food from the mouth to the stomach, is called the esophagus. In medicine, we define esophageal cancer as cancer formations in the esophagus due to the tissues covering the esophagus known as the esophagus. Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer, which is of two types, is very important. Adenocancer, which originates from squamous (squamous cell) and secretory & mucus-secreting structures, is one of the most common types of esophageal cancer.
Cells in the esophagus grow, multiply, and die throughout life. Then they are replaced by new cells and the process continues in this way throughout our lives. In the formation of esophageal cancer, there is excessive proliferation of cells that go out of this normal cycle. As a result of the formation of new cells, although they are not needed in the body, kitsicular tissue tumors form and spread. While some are good, some are of course made up of malignant tissue. However, benign ones are not life-threatening, can be removed, and do not spread. Benign tumors that do not spread to surrounding tissues do not grow. If it is cancerous tumors, they can spread to vital organs and become life-threatening, spread and grow continuously.
What are the Types of Esophageal Cancer?
Types of esophageal cancer get their name from the way they are seen under the microscope. Here are the types of esophageal cancer;
Adenocancer
The most common type of esophageal cancer worldwide. Adenocancer occurs in the lower part of the esophagus and is usually caused by reflux. The risk of esophageal adenocancer increases in cellular changes in the lower end of the esophagus, which we call Barret. Obesity is also a risk factor for the increase of this type of cancer.
Squamous Cell Cancer
The squamous cell cancer type, which is frequently encountered throughout the world, is usually located in the upper part of the esophagus. After the early diagnosis of this type of cancer, which is more common in those who consume cigarettes and alcohol, smoking and alcohol consumption are completely stopped.
Who Are the Doctors Treating Esophageal Cancer?
In the team that treats esophageal cancer; gastroenterology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology specialists work. Oncology nurses, social workers, dietitians, respiratory therapists, pain specialists and speech therapists also help you in this team.
Dr. Meral Sözen is among the doctors serving in Ankara for esophageal cancer. Serving you for the diagnosis, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Dr. Meral Sözen plays a major role in the diagnosis and follow-up of esophageal cancer.
How to Detect Esophageal Cancer, How to Staging?
Esophagoscopy is used to diagnose esophageal cancer, which arouses suspicion in blood tests and the patient's complaint. After the diagnosis of cancer is made, additional tests are definitely needed to determine the most appropriate treatment option. Here are those tests;
Tumor Grading Test (Grading): Pathological examination of the biopsy taken from the tumor tissue is performed and it is determined how different it is from the normal food tissue cells. High-grade tumors grow very quickly and spread frequently.
Staging Tests: Staging tests are needed to see how far the esophagus cancer has spread (organ or tissue involvement). This is because when cancer cells spread, they will most likely involve nearby lymph nodes. Esophageal cancer, which spreads to many regions such as the liver, lungs, bones, can be more clearly demonstrated by staging tests.
- Staging Tests
- CT (Computed Tomography)
- PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
- EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasonography)
- Cancer Stages
Physicians who denote the stages of esophageal cancers in Roman numerals generally use the definition of STAGE I for early-stage cancer. While STAGE IV refers to advanced stage cancer, the stage of cancer also changes depending on some facts: How deeply it is attached to the esophageal wall. The location of the tumor and the extent to which the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs.
Stage I-II (Adenocancer)
In STAGE IA, which is Grade 1 or 2, the cancer affects the inner layers of the esophagus. In STAGE IB, esophageal cancer involving the esophagus wall is Grade 3, while if it involves the muscle layer of the esophagus, it can vary between Grade 1-2. Stage IIA is Grade 3 of the cancer involving the muscle layer of the esophagus. In STAGE IIB type cancer, the outer layer of the esophagus or lymph node is involved.
Stage I-II (Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer)
In STAGE IA, the cancer is visible on the wall while involving the inner areas and is Grade 1. In STAGE IB, the cancer is in the wall of the esophagus and is Grade 2-3. In STAGE IIA, the cancer is located in the upper and middle esophagus and is located in both the muscle and outer layer. Grade 2-3. In STAGE IIB stage, the cancer is located in the upper and middle part of the esophagus and is Grade 2-3. In addition, the cancer does not involve the outer layer of the esophagus and is found in several adjacent lymph nodes.
Stages III and IV (Both Types of Esophageal Cancer)
Stage IIIA
Cancer that does not involve the outer layer can be observed in 3-6 adjacent lymph nodes or can be seen in the outer layer. Cancer that has crossed the esophagus has made its way into adjacent tissues such as the diaphragm or pleura. Cancer cells may not be found in the lymph nodes.
Stage IIIB
Cancer cells that occupy the outer layer of the esophagus are located in the adjacent 3-6 lymph nodes.
Stage IIIC
While cancer cells can be seen in neighboring tissues, they can also be seen in up to 6 lymph nodes. Cancer cells that we can see in 7 and more than 7 lymph nodes have affected the trachea or other organs and are impossible to intervene.
Stage IV
Esophageal cancer, which has spread to areas such as the liver, lungs and bones, is now in the final stage.
Esophageal Cancer and Treatment Options
Although there are many treatment options for cancer today, these options can be limited according to the staging of the cancer. Commonly used esophageal cancer treatments,
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Surgical
- It is applied as Targeted Therapies.
Note: The type and stage of cancer is very important to plan the most appropriate treatment for you.
When Is Treatment for Esophageal Cancer Possible?
It is worth mentioning that today's treatment options are not sufficient for esophageal cancer. New treatment options are being studied by many physicians in "clinical research" groups. However, in the light of current technology and medical knowledge, surgery may be the best option for the treatment of esophageal cancer. In the case of early-stage esophageal cancer, the surgeon removes the cancerous part of the esophagus and removes the adjacent lymph nodes.
If part of the stomach is also removed in this surgery, the stomach is prepared in the form of a tube and the esophagus and stomach are combined in the rib cage. At the same time, part of the small or large intestine may be joined to the part of the stomach in the esophagus. If the stomach needs to be completely removed, a part of the intestine is used and a connection is established between the esophagus and the intestine. The surgeon, who places a feeding tube into the small intestine, will also provide nutrition to the patient during the healing process.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapies, which can be used in all stages of esophageal cancer, can be used before or after surgical procedures and can be given together with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy, which destroys cancer, shrinks tumors and relieves cancer pain, is a frequently applied option in Turkey.
NOTE: There are two types of radiotherapy, and some people with cancer are suitable for both treatments.
External Radiotherapy: Rays from a large external device destroy cancer cells. External radiotherapy of less than 20 minutes is usually given 5 days a week.
“Brachytherapy”: The patient, whose tube is placed in the esophagus, is relieved with medication and radiation is given to the patient through the tube. During the treatment that lasts for 1-2 days, there is no radioactive material in the patient's body.
Chemotherapy
Patients who are treated with drugs given into the vein can be seen in radiotherapy. Side effects, which vary depending on the drug and dose, can also vary from person to person.
To Beat Esophageal Cancer Dr. Meral Sözen is waiting for you!
Working in Ankara on the diagnosis and follow-up of esophageal cancer, Dr. Are you ready to try all treatment options to beat cancer with Meral Sözen? So call us and let's fight together!
