Advanced and Low Cost Cancer Treatment : Esophageal Cancer Treatment in India

What is Esophagus?

The tube that attaches the throat to the stomach is known as the esophagus. This 10-inch long muscular tube is a part of the digestive tract from where the food travels from the esophagus to the stomach. The esophagus is comprised of four layers that include –

• Outer Layer: The esophagus is covered by this outer layer.
• Inner Layer or Lining: This layer helps in passing the food to the stomach as this layer is properly moist.
• Muscle Layer: This layer helps in pushing down the food to the stomach.
• Submucosa: Mucus is made by the glands present in this layer. This mucus moisturizes the esophagus.
  

What is Esophageal Cancer?

The uncontrollable growth of cancer cells in the esophagus causes esophageal cancer. This cancer begins at the inner layer of the esophagus that can spread further to the other layers of the esophagus and also to different body parts. Esophageal cancer has been categorized into two types that include –

Adenocarcinoma: This type of esophageal cancer starts in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the esophagus. The stomach and the esophagus appear together in this lower part of esophagus.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the squamous cells lining the esophagus. This type of esophageal cancer typically occurs in the middle and upper part of the esophagus.

Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer

• Hoarseness or coughing
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Fatigue
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent choking while eating
• Chest burning, pain or pressure

How is Esophageal Cancers Diagnosed?

• Barium Swallow with X-ray : In a barium swallow, patients swallow a special liquid containing barium that coats the esophagus.
  
• Upper Endoscopy : In an upper endoscopy, a thin, flexible, lighted tube, called an endoscope, is guided into the mouth and throat, then into the esophagus. The endoscope allows the physician to view the inside of the esophagus, as well as to insert instruments through the scope for the removal of a tissue sample for biopsy.
  
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) : EUS is a test that helps physicians determine the extent to which tumors have penetrated the esophagus and nearby lymph nodes.
  
• CT : A CT scan is a noninvasive imaging test that combines X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the body. In addition to showing tumors of the esophagus, a CT scan can assist doctors in determining if the cancer has spread into other organs, such as the lungs or liver.
  
• PET : PET is a sophisticated, noninvasive imaging test that measures the metabolic activity of cells. PET aids physicians in finding cancerous tissue that may not show up on X-rays or other tests.
  
• Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. The biopsy is usually done during an esophagoscopy. Sometimes a biopsy shows changes in the esophagus that are not cancer but may lead to cancer.
  
• Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy : Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy are surgical procedures that involve the use of special thin instruments equipped with a light and camera that are inserted into the body to look for tumors or gather tissue for biopsy.

Treatment of Esophageal Cancer at World Best Cancer Hospitals in India

• Surgery : The surgical procedure for removing the entire or a part of the esophagus depends on the location and size of the tumor. There are a number of surgical procedures for reaching to the esophagus. The surgical procedure can remove nearby soft tissues, a section of the esophagus and the lymph nodes. The entire or a part of the stomach can also be removed. The cancer is removed by making several incisions in the abdomen and chest. In majority of cases, the stomach is pulled up and is then joined with the remaining portion of the esophagus. Also, a part of the intestine is used for connecting the stomach with the esophagus remaining part. A part of large intestine or small intestine may also be used. A part of the intestine is used when the stomach is removed for joining it with the left over part of the esophagus to the small intestine.
  
• Radio Therapy : High-energy radiation beams are targeted on the cancerous tissue in order to destroy it. Radiotherapy is usually used in addition with either chemotherapy or surgery. Radiotherapy can be categorized into two different types for treating esophageal cancer that include :
  
  • Internal Radiotherapy : A small radioactive implant is placed close to the cancerous tumor for removing and destroying it.
  • External Radiotherapy : This therapy makes use of machine that is placed outside the body. This machine helps in directing the radiation on the cancer for the purpose of destroying it.
    
• Chemotherapy : People with esophageal cancer can also be treated with the help of chemotherapy. This therapy makes use of certain drugs that helps in destroying the cancer cells. The injection of these drugs is done into a vein (intravenous) that then travels throughout the different parts of the body.
  
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) : In this outpatient procedure, controlled bursts of radiofrequency energy burn away thin layers of abnormal tissue on the surface of the esophagus, leaving healthy tissue intact. Radiofrequency ablation takes about 45 minutes, and patients can usually return to their normal activities the next day, though some patient may experience chest pain and difficulty swallowing for about a week.
  
• Photodynamic Therapy : A form of treatment that uses a photosensitizing agent, administered by mouth or intravenously, which concentrates selectively in certain cells, followed by exposure of the involved tissue to a special light (such as laser or ultraviolet light), in order to destroy as much of the abnormal tissue as possible. For example, photodynamic therapy is used to treat some forms of cancer and psoriasis.
  
  
  
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