{"id":469,"date":"2018-10-24T14:52:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T14:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/gastrointestinal\/?page_id=469"},"modified":"2024-05-14T00:04:39","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T00:04:39","slug":"stomach-and-esophagus-cancer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/gastrointestinal\/conditions-we-treat\/stomach-and-esophagus-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Esophageal Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":361,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-469","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"layers":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":"

What is Esophageal Cancer?<\/h2>\n

Esophageal (Esophagus) cancer is a type of cancer that effects the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This organ passes through the neck, chest, and abdomen. Cancers of the esophagus can occur anywhere along the passage of this organ. The specialists at Saint John’s are equipped to provide comprehensive treatment and post-surgical care for esophageal cancer.<\/p>\n

\"esophageal
Esophageal cancer can grow to restrict the passage of food and spread to organs nearby.<\/figcaption><\/figure>Esophageal cancer starts in the inner lining of the esophagus and then spreads to the esophageal wall and nearby organs. Frequently, esophageal cancer can spread to the lymph nodes nearby and spread through the bloodstream to organs like the liver or lungs. Esophageal cancer is not very common, it is the sixth most common cancer and unfortunately there are no good screening tests for it currently. In Western countries is most common at the junction between the esophagus and stomach, an area that doctors refer to as the Gastroesophageal Junction.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of esophageal cancer include difficulty swallowing. The struggle exists first with solid foods and will progress to liquids as well. As the tumor grows and restricts passage of food through the esophagus further, individuals can develop extended heartburn, cough, hoarseness, nausea, and vomiting. With time, weight loss can be progressive, and patients can become malnourished. There are no discernable symptoms for early esophageal cancer.<\/p>\n

Evaluation & Diagnosis<\/h3>\n

Diagnosis of esophageal cancer requires a high index of suspicion and a thorough history and physical exam. The most effective diagnostic test is an endoscopy, during which a gastroenterologist uses a slim camera to view the inside of the esophagus and biopsy the tumor as needed.<\/p>\n

Additional tests that are also performed include a barium swallow exam, where the patient swallows a special dye while undergoing x-ray imaging. Staging tests may include a CT scan of the chest and abdomen as well as a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) so that a final diagnosis is possible. At Saint John’s Health Center, we may order an additional endoscopic test called an Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) to evaluate the depth of invasion of the tumor into the wall of the esophagus.<\/p>\n

\"Factors
Your overall health may be a factor for determining your esophageal cancer treatment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Factors that may affect treatment<\/h4>\n