Approximately 17,000 new cases of
esophageal cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. The disease – which occurs
about four times as often in men as it does in women – develops in the
esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.
Being aware of risk factors and
symptoms of esophageal cancer can help patients receive an earlier diagnosis.
UT Southwestern’s world-renowned esophageal cancer specialists offer the latest
diagnostic techniques.
Risk
Factors, Signs, and Symptoms
The two most common types of
esophageal cancer are:
- Adenocarcinoma: Begins in the cells of mucus-secreting
glands and is often found near the stomach
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Arises in the cells that line the
esophagus and is usually found near the top of the esophagus
Because early esophageal cancer
typically causes no signs or symptoms, patients should be aware of the risk
factors for the disease. These include:
- Tobacco use
- Heavy alcohol
use
- Age 65 or
older
- Male gender
- Acid reflux
or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Barrett’s
esophagus
Signs and symptoms of esophageal
cancer can include:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Chest pain, pressure, or burning
- Coughing or hoarseness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent or worsening indigestion or heartburn
Esophageal cancer is more likely
to be treated successfully when it is caught in its early stages, so patients
should promptly contact their doctor if they experience any of these symptoms.
Diagnosis
Esophageal cancer is usually
found because of specific signs or symptoms patients are experiencing. Early
detection and diagnosis of esophageal cancer will help our UT Southwestern
Medical Center team determine the best course of treatment for each patient. Depending
on the situation, diagnostic services might include:
Physical Examination and History
This visit includes a medical
history to help the doctor understand possible risk factors and learn more
about a patient’s symptoms.
During a physical examination, the
doctor will pay special attention to the patient’s neck and chest to look for
possible signs of esophageal cancer and other health problems.
Sophisticated Imaging
UT Southwestern’s radiology experts
use the most advanced imaging techniques to help diagnose esophageal cancer.
These imaging modalities can
include:
- Barium
swallow (barium
esophagography): The use of
this chalky liquid in combination with X-rays can help physicians determine the
cause of swallowing problems.
- Contrast
enhanced or multidetector computed tomography (CT) scan: This technology helps physicians visualize
the location and extent of esophageal cancer.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This imaging
technology helps physicians identify suspicious areas that could indicate
esophageal cancer and learn if, and how far, it has spread.
- Positron emission tomography (PET): Cancer cells
absorb large amounts of radioactive sugar that are used in this technique, and
a special camera creates images of that radioactivity, enabling physicians to
identify cancerous cells in the esophagus.
- Endoscopic
ultrasonography: This technology maps sound waves
to show physicians how deeply cancer has grown into the esophagus.
Other Diagnostic Tests
To get a more detailed
understanding of esophageal cancer, our physicians might use additional
diagnostic techniques that include:
- Esophagoscopy: A type of endoscopy that uses a lighted
lens at the end of a thin tube to closely examine the esophagus
- Biopsy: A small tissue sample removed from
suspected trouble spots for in-depth analysis by pathologists
Together, these diagnostic tools
will help the esophageal cancer care team at UT Southwestern provide patients
with the most appropriate, safest, and most individualized course of treatment.
