Esophagus Cancer

What You Should Know About Esophagus Cancer

The muscular tube that carries food, into the stomach is called the esophagus. The length from the throat to the stomach is between 10 - 13 inches long, and less than an inch wide, at the narrowest point. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer of the esophagus begins in the innermost layers and grows out. Approximately 13,000 people a year are diagnosed with this type of cancer, and about the same number of people, will die of this cancer each year. Currently, there is no early detection for this type of cancer. Unfortunately, diagnosing esophagus cancer late, and within an advance state, has a high fatality rate. A Five Year survival rate has shown, thirteen percent for whites and nine percent for African-Americans. Compared to 40 years ago, same survival rate was four percent of whites, and one percent of African-Americans.

According to National Cancer Institute, there are two types of esophagus cancer. Squamous cell carcinomas tend to start, in the upper and middle part of the esophagus. In some cases, the cancer begins, in other areas of the esophagus. Other type of esophagus cancer is adenocarcinoma, first appears in the opening of the stomach and related to Barrett's esophagus or "GERD," resulting from acid reflux or stomach acid, spilling into the esophagus. This adversely affects the cells, in the esophagus. Approximately, thirty percent of esophageal cancer cases are linked to GERD.

Esophagus cancer is directly attributed to smoking or chewing tobacco products, long term alcohol use, swallowing chemicals such as lye or cleaning fluids (Dry cleaning workers have a higher rate of esophageal cancer), Achalasis (A medical condition, when food does not enter the stomach, and stays or backs up into the esophagus), rare genetic disease Tylosis (symptoms include excess skin on the palms of the hands and soles. By the age of 65, these patients have a 95 percent chance, developing carcinoma of the esophagus), and head and neck cancer patients, have a greater risk, developing this type of cancer. Also, overweight and obesity increase risk factors.