In daily life, we often encounter throat discomfort, most of us will think that it is ordinary pharyngitis or a small cold, drink some water, take a few lozenges, and no longer take it to heart.
Sometimes this seemingly ordinary symptom may mask a fact that we don't want to face – esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer, a disease that closely resembles pharyngitis in its early stages, is often inadvertently ignored until the disease progresses irreversibly.
Esophageal cancer is a common malignancy
Esophageal cancer is a common malignancy of the upper gastrointestinal tract worldwide and is currently ranked as the eighth most common cancer in the world.
In mainland China, the incidence of esophageal cancer is particularly prominent in the border area of Henan, Hebei and Shanxi provinces in the southern section of the Taihang Mountains, and the incidence rate in this area ranks first in the country.
The incidence of this cancer is more common in men, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1.3:1 to 2.7:1, and the general age of onset is more than 40 years old, with the highest incidence in the 60 to 64 age group.
Although the exact cause of esophageal cancer is still not fully understood, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption have been scientifically proven to be important causative factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. These two behaviors exacerbate the carcinogenesis process of the esophageal mucosa and increase the risk of cancer.
Esophageal cancer is often difficult to detect in the early stages because its symptoms are subtle and can be easily confused with laryngitis.
Pharyngitis is caused by acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat, and its typical symptoms include pharyngeal pain, hoarseness, and a dry cough.
However, pharyngitis is only an inflammatory response, while esophageal cancer is an aggressive and metastatic malignancy of the esophageal mucosa.
In terms of treatment, laryngitis and esophageal cancer are treated on very different principles.
While pharyngitis is usually relieved with expectorant and anti-inflammatory treatments, treatment for esophageal cancer requires more aggressive methods, such as surgical removal of the lesion, and often in conjunction with postoperative radiation therapy and chemotherapy to ensure that the treatment is effective.
Dysphagia is an important early symptom of esophageal cancer
The symptoms of esophageal cancer can vary, but perhaps the most uncomfortable is difficulty swallowing. This difficulty does not happen overnight, but as the condition gradually worsens, from mild to obvious, eventually it may be difficult to swallow even water and saliva.
Even the most basic eating and drinking are problematic, which is undoubtedly a great torture for patients.
Esophageal cancer can block the esophagus, making it difficult for food and fluids to pass through. This not only affects the patient's nutritional intake, but can also cause a range of other complications, such as food backflow into the throat and even mucus spitting.
If these symptoms are not treated in time, they are not only a matter of eating and drinking, but also related to the quality of life and survival rate of patients.
For esophageal cancer, surgery is often the doctor's first choice. Especially in the early stages of the disease, surgery can effectively remove the tumor, reduce symptoms and prolong survival.
However, not everyone is a candidate for surgery. For people who are less well or older, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy or chemotherapy as an alternative.
Of course, dysphagia is not exclusive to esophageal cancer. Other conditions, such as esophageal achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, or myasthenia gravis, can cause similar symptoms.
Once dysphagia develops, a detailed examination is needed to determine the specific cause so that targeted treatment can be initiated.
If you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms of dysphagia, especially if it gets progressively worse, don't take it lightly. Seeking medical attention in time, finding out the reasons behind it, and treating it as soon as possible is the key to solving the problem.
Retrosternal pain is also an early sign of esophageal cancer
Some people with esophageal cancer experience pain in their chest, especially behind the breastbone.
This pain may be related to acid reflux or heartburn. Chest pain, although a common symptom, can easily be mistaken for other conditions, such as angina, pleurisy, or intercostal neuritis.
To diagnose esophageal cancer, doctors usually need to undergo a gastroscopy and obtain a pathological sample of the esophagus.
Once the diagnosis of esophageal cancer is confirmed, doctors also check for metastases. If the disease has not metastasized, surgery becomes a viable option, which can completely remove the tumor and hopefully cure it.
There are several surgical methods, and traditional surgery may require a thoracotomy or an incision in the chest cavity and abdomen at the same time.
But now, with the advancement of medical technology, more and more surgeries can be done through thoracoscopy. This method is less invasive, covers the entire segment of esophageal cancer, and has a faster recovery after surgery.
Treatment for esophageal cancer is more than just surgery. After surgery, patients often need to undergo a combination of treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy to control the progression of the disease and prolong survival.
These treatments can significantly improve symptoms, such as the chest pain mentioned earlier, and are usually relieved by treating the primary focus of esophageal cancer.
If you or someone close to you is experiencing similar chest pain, especially the one that seems to be related to eating and drinking, don't take it lightly.
Weight loss is also an important early symptom of esophageal cancer
One of the challenges faced by esophageal cancer patients is significant weight loss, which is not just a numerical weight loss, there are many reasons for weight loss, usually including tumor consumption, insufficient nutrient intake, metabolic abnormalities, etc.
The tumour itself is an abnormally active tissue that is constantly growing and multiplying, competing with the body's normal tissues for nutrients.
This endless competition plunges the patient's body into a state of chronic wasting, resulting in a loss of muscle mass and sustained weight loss. And this weight loss is not a healthy weight loss, but a manifestation of deterioration of physical conditions.
Then, dysphagia and esophageal pain caused by esophageal cancer directly affect the patient's diet. When eating becomes a challenge, adequate nutrient intake is difficult to guarantee, which can undoubtedly exacerbate weight loss.
Many patients have further reduced their food intake and nutrient absorption due to esophageal pain or side effects of treatment, such as nausea and vomiting.
Esophageal cancer can also lead to metabolic abnormalities that include reduced energy use by the body and rapid breakdown of muscle tissue. These changes allow patients to continue to lose weight without increasing their food intake.
Of course, treatments for esophageal cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can also exacerbate the problem of wasting. These treatments may cause problems such as loss of appetite and digestive and absorption disorders, which can affect the normal intake and utilization of nutrients.
If persistent weight loss and wasting are observed, this is a sign that should not be ignored and may indicate the presence of esophageal cancer or other health problems.
It is very necessary to seek medical attention in a timely manner, conduct a comprehensive examination, find out the specific cause of weight loss, and carry out targeted treatment according to the doctor's recommendations.
Early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer
High-risk groups include people with chronic esophageal inflammation, esophageal polyps, Barrett's esophagus, and a family history of cancer. These people may not experience significant discomfort in their daily lives, but the potential threat of esophageal cancer is present.
For early detection of esophageal cancer, regular gastroscopy is very necessary. This is not only for high-risk groups, but also for those who like to eat spicy foods and drink alcohol.
Gastroscopy can help doctors observe the inside of the esophagus and detect unusual changes in time to intervene before the condition progresses to a more severe stage.
Diagnosis of esophageal cancer usually requires endoscopic pathology. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, patients should receive immediate and systematic treatment in a specialist hospital. There are various treatments for esophageal cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and a combination of treatments.
The choice of these methods is usually based on the patient's specific condition, such as the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health.
The prognosis for esophageal cancer varies from person to person. Early detection and treatment of the disease are often related to the survival rate and quality of life of patients.
Therefore, it is especially important to be vigilant for those who experience pharyngeal discomfort, sore throat, choking, or retrosternal pain. These symptoms, although not specific, may be a sign of early esophageal cancer.
If you or a loved one is in a high-risk group, consider getting regular gastroscopies as this small step could have a significant positive impact on your future health.
Prevention of esophageal cancer is also very important
Esophageal cancer can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor diet, certain precancerous diseases, specific infections, genetic factors, and long-term consumption of overheated food.
Knowing these risk factors can lead to a range of preventive measures we can take to reduce the likelihood of cancer.
Tobacco and alcohol are the two leading causes of esophageal cancer. Both smoking and drinking alcohol can cause irritation to the esophagus and increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol are important steps to prevent esophageal cancer.
In fact, controlling these two habits well is not only beneficial to the prevention of esophageal cancer, but also has a huge positive impact on the whole health.
The next step is to adjust your eating habits. Avoid long-term consumption of foods that are too coarse or too hot, which can damage the esophagus and increase the risk of disease.
In addition, the intake of mouldy foods and high-salt foods such as pickles, salted meat, etc., should be minimized as the nitrite components contained in these foods are potential carcinogens.
At the same time, increase your intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, which are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, which can help fight cancer.
Water hygiene is also very important in daily life. Water sources in some areas may contain carcinogens, so choosing safe drinking water is crucial.
If possible, the use of filtration or boiling to treat the water can further ensure the safety of the water quality.
If you have underlying conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux or Barrett's esophagus, these conditions should be treated aggressively because they may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Working closely with your doctor to manage these conditions is part of the strategy to prevent esophageal cancer.
By doing the above, we can not only reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but also promote overall health and improve quality of life. Hopefully, everyone can take these simple and practical precautions to add to their health.