Download By: Sydney Trecarichi, Hayley Cash and Jordan Wittig

Esophageal
Cancer
By: Sydney Trecarichi,
Hayley Cash and Jordan
Wittig
What Is It?
• Esophageal cancer is a tumor that begins
to grow in the lining of the esophagus,
and then can grow through the wall of
the esophagus.
• If the tumor grows through the
esophageal wall, it can spread to other
parts of the body through the lymphatic
system.
What causes Esophageal
Cancer?
•
•
Cells in your esophagus develop errors in their
DNA. These errors make cells grow and divide
out of control.
• Other Causes can be:
o Gender– the disease is more common in men.
o Heredity – it is more likely in people who have
close relatives with cancer.
o Tobacco smoking and heavy alcohol use.
Effects on the Body:
•
•
•
Difficulty swallowing.
Affects the nerves in the
area, causing pain.
Affects the blood vessels in
the area, which causes
bleeding.
Stages of Esophageal Cancer:
Stage 0:
• Stago 0 is found in the innermost layer of the cells lining the esophagus.
Stage I:
• Cancer has spread beyond the innermost layer of cells to the next layer of
tissue in the esophagus wall.
Stage II:
Depending on where cancer has spread, it is divided into stage IIA and IIB.
o IIA: Cancer has spread to the outer wall of the esophagus.
o IIB: Cancer has spread to any of the first three layers of the esophagus.
Stage III:
Cancer has spread to the outer wall and may have spread to the lymph nodes
or tissues near the esophagus.
Stage IV:
Depending on where cancer has spread, it is divided into stage IVA and IVB.
o IVA: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
o IVB: Cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and/or organs.
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•
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How is Esophageal Cancer Detected?
•
•
Cancers of the esophagus are found because
of the symptoms they cause.
Unfortunately, most esophageal cancers do
not cause symptoms until they have reached
an advanced stage, when they are harder to
treat.
Treatments
Stage 0:
Surgery.
Stage I:
Surgery.
Stage II:
Surgery and Chemotherapy.
Stage III:
Surgery and Chemotherapy.
Stage IV:
Radiation and Chemotherapy.
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Is There a Cure?
•
Esophageal cancer is not commonly cured
because usually it doesn't produce symptoms
until it has progressed.
•
In late-stage esophageal cancer, clinical
trials using experimental procedures and
medications are sometimes encouraged.
•
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Is there a way to
prevent Esophageal
Cancer?
Smoking is a major risk factor into the development of esophageal
cancer.
Long term alcohol abuse is terrible for your health and can lead to
cancer. About 75% of esophageal cancers are linked to excessive
alcohol consumption.
Eating healthy is always a way to prevent most types of
cancer.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important because being
overweight or obese puts you at a higher risk for developing
esophageal cancer than those who are in a healthy weight range.
Heartburn increases your risk for developing esophageal cancer.
These are many risks but there is no certain way to prevent
Esophageal Cancer.
Additional Information
• Every year we
participate in Relay For
Life and raise money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFi
for cancer research.
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Support Groups
•
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ECAA- Esophageal Cancer
Awareness Association: The
ECAA is devoted to helping
patients, survivors, and anybody
at risk of this disease.
American Cancer Society:
Provides day to day help and
constant support.
Sources
• http://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophaguscancer
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/detailedguide/esophagus-cancer-diagnosis
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/esop
hageal
http://www.ecaware.org/