Esophageal cancer commonly presents with progressive dysphagia, first to solids, then to soft food, eventually to liquids. By the time dysphagia is constant, the tumour is usually locally advanced. Workup includes endoscopy with biopsy, contrast CT, PET-CT, and endoscopic ultrasound for staging. Most thoracic squamous cell tumours benefit from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CROSS regimen) followed by esophagectomy. Lower-third adenocarcinomas may receive perioperative chemotherapy (FLOT) instead.
Condition
Esophageal Cancer
Also known as: Oesophageal cancer · Esophagus cancer
Cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe), either squamous cell carcinoma (more common in India) or adenocarcinoma (more common in lower oesophagus, often arising from Barrett's). Curative treatment combines chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy.
Signs and symptoms
When to suspect esophageal cancer
- Progressive difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Pain on swallowing (odynophagia)
- Unintentional weight loss
- Regurgitation of food
- Persistent cough or hoarseness
- Chest pain or burning
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Aspiration pneumonia
Risk factors
Who is at higher risk
- Tobacco use (smoking and chewing)
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Hot beverage consumption
- Chronic GERD with Barrett's oesophagus
- Achalasia (long-standing)
- Caustic injury to the oesophagus
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome
- Family history
Surgical treatment options
Procedures Dr. Reddy performs for esophageal cancer
Esophagectomy with Two-Field Lymphadenectomy
Esophageal Cancer Surgery
Esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer by Dr. Dwarakanath Reddy at Apollo Nellore. Multidisciplinary care with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy where indicated.
Esophagectomy / Heller's Myotomy / Diverticulectomy
Esophagus Surgery
Esophageal cancer surgery, achalasia (Heller's myotomy), and benign oesophageal procedures by Dr. Dwarakanath Reddy at Apollo Nellore. Minimally invasive where appropriate.
Related conditions
Others in the same area of practice.
ICD-10 · C18-C20
Colorectal Cancer
Cancer of the colon or rectum. The fourth most common cancer worldwide. Curative-intent surgery, often combined with chemotherapy and radiation, is the standard of care for resectable disease.
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ICD-10 · C16
Stomach Cancer (Gastric Cancer)
Malignancy of the stomach lining, most commonly adenocarcinoma. Often diagnosed at advanced stages because early symptoms are vague. Curative treatment is gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection, often combined with chemotherapy.
About this condition →
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