ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

WHAT IS ESOPAGEAL CANCER?

• Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus.
• Esophageal cancer begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus
• Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus
• More men than women get esophageal cancer.

SYMPTOMS

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Weight loss without trying
• Chest pain, pressure or burning
• Fatigue
• Frequent choking while eating

SYMPTOMS

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Coughing or hoarseness
• Early esophageal cancer typically causes no signs or symptoms.

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CAUSES

• It's not clear what causes esophageal cancer.
• Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in your esophagus develop errors in their DNA
• The errors make cells grow and divide out of control
• accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor in the esophagus that can invade
• And spread to other parts of the body.

Types of esophageal cancer

• Adenocarcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Other rare types

Adenocarcinoma

• begins in the cells of mucus-secreting glands in the esophagus
• occurs most often in the lower portion of the esophagus.
• Most common form of esophageal cancer.
• Affects primarily white men.

Squamous cell carcinoma

• The squamous cells are flat, thin cells that line the surface of the esophagus
• Squamous cell carcinoma occurs most often in the middle of the esophagus

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation

NURSING DIAGNOSIS

• Nurse must consult with dietician
• Goal is to improve nutrition
• Achieve a stable weight
• And provide frequent small meals
• Avoid drinking from straws

THE END