Cancer in South Africa Oesophagus cancer

Cancer of the oesophagus starts in the inner layer of the oesophagus and grows outward. Since 2 types of cells can line the oesophagus, there are 2 main types of oesophageal, Cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The oesophagus is normally lined with squamous cells. The cancer starting in these cells is called squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer can occur anywhere along the oesophagus. Cancers that start in gland cells are called adenocarcinomas. This type of cell is not normally part of the inner lining of the oesophagus. Before an adenocarcinoma can develop, gland cells must replace an area of squamous cells. This occurs mainly in the lower oesophagus, which is the location of most adenocarcinomas. Cancers that start at the area where the oesophagus joins the stomach, which includes about the first 4cm of the stomach (called the cardia), have a tendency to behave like oesophagus cancers (and are treated like them, as well), so they are grouped with oesophagus cancers. Symptoms and effects of Oesophageal cancer The symptoms of oesophageal cancer are usually not obvious during the early stages of the disease. However, as the cancer grows, oesophageal cancer symptoms may consist of: Difficult or painful swallowing Severe weight loss Pain in the throat or back, behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades Hoarseness or chronic cough Vomiting Coughing up blood Exams and Tests Tests used to help diagnose Oesophageal cancer may include: Barium swallow Chest MRI or thoracic CT (usually used to help determine the stage of the disease) Endoscopic ultrasound (also sometimes used to determine the stage of disease) Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsy PET scan (sometimes useful for determining the stage of disease, and whether surgery is possible) Stool testing may show small amounts of blood in the stool. Treatment When oesophageal cancer is only in the oesophagus and has not spread, surgery is the treatment of choice. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer Sometimes chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the two may be used instead of surgery, or to make surgery easier to do. If the patient is too ill to have major surgery or the cancer has spread to other organs, chemotherapy or radiation

may be used to help decrease symptoms. This is called palliative therapy. In such cases, the disease is usually not curable. Other treatments that may be used to help the patient swallow include: Endoscopic dilation of the oesophagus (sometimes with placement of a stent to keep the oesophagus dilated). Photodynamic therapy, in which a special drug is injected into the tumor and is then exposed to light. The light activates the medicine that attacks the tumor. Alternative treatments There is a large amount of people who, instead of using western treatments use the more alternative treatments. These treatments include strict diets, homemade cancer drinks that have items such as baking powder to wheat germ. Many alternative treatments include long meditations and very spiritual gatherings with support groups. Theses support groups belief that mind over matter is the way to live, that praying or meditation will destroy the cancer.
Top ten causes of death due to cancer by sex, South Africa, 2000