Diagnostics Initially, diagnostics aims to achieve two goals: Exclusion or confirmation of a tumor of the esophagus:If an esophageal tumor is suspected, the patient must first be thoroughly questioned (anamnesis), especially about previous illnesses, their alcohol consumption (alcohol addiction) and nicotine consumption (smoking) and family history of certain diseases. Then the patient is thoroughly examined. … Esophageal cancer diagnosis
Additional Diagnostics Sometimes it may be necessary to use additional diagnostic methods. Especially in the case of tumors in the neck area, a thorough ENT medical examination is aimed for. In the case of tumors that are in close contact with the trachea, a lung endoscopy (bronchoscopy) can be helpful in order to assess the … Additional Diagnostics | Esophageal cancer diagnosis
What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer? The symptoms of esophageal cancer occur very late and are usually very unspecific. Especially swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) are a quite typical symptom, but they occur only in a late stage of the disease. Since the esophagus is a very flexible hollow organ, swallowing difficulties only occur when the … Esophageal cancer symptoms
Synoynme esophageal carcinoma, esophageal tumor, esophageal tumor, esophageal – Ca, beret carcinoma Definition Esophageal cancer (esophagus) is a malignant, uncontrollably fast-growing tumor that originates from the cells of the esophageal mucosa. In 80-90% of cases, there is a connection between years of consumption of high-proof alcohol (alcohol abuse) and the consumption of cigarettes. Esophageal cancer … Therapy of esophageal cancer
Therapy The treatment of patients requires intensive cooperation between the medical departments of surgery, internal medicine and radiotherapy. During therapy, the TNM classification is used as an essential decision-making aid. There are corresponding therapy guidelines for each tumor stage. Thus, three treatment goals can be described, which are considered depending on the stage. Healing of … Therapy | Therapy of esophageal cancer
Radiotherapy In most cases, esophageal cancer responds well to radiotherapy. In some cases, radiotherapy is applied before surgery (neoadjuvant) in order to reduce the tumor and make it operable. If radiotherapy is initiated after surgery (adjuvant), the risk of a recurrence of the tumor can be reduced. Even patients who have little chance of recovery … Radiotherapy | Therapy of esophageal cancer
Photodynamic therapy If other therapeutic options for keeping the esophagus open fail, a feeding tube (PEG; Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) can be placed directly through the skin into the stomach. This treatment method is a minor surgical procedure. Under endoscopic control, a hollow needle (cannula) is first inserted through the skin into the stomach, where a … Photodynamic therapy | Therapy of esophageal cancer
