Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is a malignant growth in the area of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer causes many of the affected patients to feel that their esophagus is burning. In general, however, it is a rather rare form of cancer, which is mainly observed in people over 60.
In addition, men are approximately three times more likely to suffer from esophageal cancer than women in the same age group.The main causes of esophageal cancer are excessive consumption of nicotine and/or alcohol. In addition, an unhealthy diet (especially high-fat and excessively hot food) plays a decisive role in the development of esophageal tumors. In addition, it can often be observed in everyday clinical practice that patients who have suffered from so-called reflux disease over a long period of time have a significantly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Swallowing difficulties, unexplained weight loss, chest pain and the feeling that the esophagus is burning (heartburn) are among the typical symptoms of esophageal cancer. In most cases, the diagnosis can be made by means of an oesophagoscopy (endoscopy). During this procedure, tissue samples are taken from the abnormal areas and then examined in the laboratory.
In some cases, the tumor can even be removed during the endoscopy. The treatment of oesophageal tumors with the feeling that the esophagus is burning depends on the stage determined in each patient. The best chances of recovery are with patients in whom the tumor can be completely surgically removed. In addition, the question of whether offshoots of the tumor (metastases) have already formed in other organs also plays a decisive role in the prognosis. In many cases, however, surgical removal of the tumor must be supplemented by radiation or chemotherapy.
Hiatal hernia
The term diaphragmatic hernia describes the protrusion of parts of the stomach through the diaphragm in the area of the point of passage of the esophagus (hiatus esophageus). In general, the diaphragmatic hernia is divided into different forms. In case of axial sliding hernia the hernia spreads along the esophagus.
The cause for the development of a diaphragmatic hernia is usually a pronounced loosening of the diaphragmatic connective tissue in the transitional area. This condition, which causes the affected patients to feel that their esophagus is burning, can be observed especially in persons over 50 years of age. In addition, severe overweight (obesity) plays a decisive role in the development of a hiatus hernia.
The typical symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia include heartburn (burning of the esophagus), pain behind the breastbone, nausea and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Classically, these symptoms appear mainly after eating. A very rare but threatening complication of diaphragmatic hernia is the entrapment of part of the stomach.
The affected patients then feel a pronounced gag reflex and severe pain in the region of the pit of the stomach. Diaphragmatic hernia is usually diagnosed by means of oesophagoscopy and gastroscopy. In addition, some forms of diaphragmatic hernia with an esophagus that burns can be made visible by radiographic procedures (so-called contrast medium pulp swallowing).
A diaphragmatic hernia is usually only treated if it is accompanied by reflux disease or causes discomfort in the affected patient. The aim of treatment is always to eliminate the typical reflux symptoms (esophagus burns (heartburn), acid reflux, coughing, belching). For many of those affected, this goal can be achieved by taking proton pump inhibitors (such as Pantoprazole). In some cases, surgical treatment of the diaphragmatic hernia is also necessary.
