page_title: Esophageal cancer
section_title: Management
hierarchical_section_title: Esophageal cancer / Management
caption_attribution_description: English: Esophageal stent for esophageal cancer
context_page_description: Esophageal cancer is cancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach. Symptoms often include difficulty in swallowing and weight loss. Other symptoms may include pain when swallowing, a hoarse voice, enlarged lymph nodes around the collarbone, a dry cough, and possibly coughing up or vomiting blood.
  The two main sub-types of the disease are esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma, which is more common in the developing world, and esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is more common in the developed world. A number of less common types also occur. Squamous-cell carcinoma arises from the epithelial cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma arises from glandular cells present in the lower third of the esophagus, often where they have already transformed to intestinal cell type. Causes of the squamous-cell type include tobacco, alcohol, very hot drinks, poor diet, and chewing betel nut. The most common causes of the adenocarcinoma type are smoking tobacco, obesity, and acid reflux.
  The disease is diagnosed by biopsy done by an endoscope. Prevention includes stopping smoking and eating a healthy diet.
context_section_description: Treatment is best managed by a multidisciplinary team covering the various specialties involved.  Adequate nutrition must be assured, and appropriate dental care is essential. Factors that influence treatment decisions include the stage and cellular type of cancer (EAC, ESCC, and other types), along with the person's general condition and any other diseases that are present.
  In general, treatment with a curative intention is restricted to localized disease, without distant metastasis: in such cases a combined approach that includes surgery may be considered. Disease that is widespread, metastatic or recurrent is managed palliatively: in this case, chemotherapy may be used to lengthen survival, while treatments such as radiotherapy or stenting may be used to relieve symptoms and make it easier to swallow.
caption: Esophageal stent for esophageal cancer
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