Esophageal Cancer

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What Is Esophageal Cancer?

The esophagus is the muscular tube
that connects the throat to the stomach.
Esophageal cancer occurs along the
lining of this tube.
It is uncommon in the United States,
accounting for about 1% of total
diagnosed cancers.

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The American Cancer

Societys Estimates
In the United States during 2008:
16,470 new cases of esophageal
cancer will be diagnosed.
14,280 deaths will occur as the result
of
esophageal cancer.

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Who Is At Risk?
Men have esophageal cancer at rates
about three times greater than women.
People between the ages
of 45 and 70 are at
greatest risk.
African Americans are
about twice as likely
as Whites to have
cancer of the
esophagus.

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What Are Other Risk Factors?

People who use tobacco and drink
heavily are many times more likely to
get esophageal cancer.
People with Barretts esophagus, a longterm reflux (back-up) of stomach acid
into the esophagus, are at sharply
increased risk.
A diet that is low in fruits, vegetables,
and vitamins A, B2, and C increases risk.

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Reducing Your Risk

Avoid tobacco and alcohol use.
Get regular physical activity.
Maintain a healthy weight throughout
life.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet with at
least five servings of fruits and
vegetables every day.
Taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce
risk, but this should only be done in
consultation with a doctor.

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Symptoms
Symptoms, which generally do not appear
until the disease has advanced, include:
Difficulty swallowing (most common symptom)
Chest pain or burning
Frequent choking on food
Weight loss

In more advanced cases, patients may

experience pain while swallowing.
Other symptoms include hoarseness, hiccups,
pneumonia, and high calcium levels.

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Detection Methods
People at risk may be advised to
undergo early detection tests, such
as:
Endoscopy
Barium swallow

Individuals with risk factors for

developing esophageal cancer
should report symptoms to their
doctor promptly.

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Treatment
Treatment is most successful when
cancer is detected early.
Often two or more treatment methods
are used.
Patients should
thoroughly discuss
treatment options
with their doctors.

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Treatment Options
Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy
are used to treat esophageal cancer.
Surgery An operation to remove cancer
cells.
Radiation therapy Uses high-energy
rays to shrink or kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy Uses anticancer drugs
that
attack cancer cells and normal cells.
These drugs are usually given by
injection or by mouth.

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Treatment Options
When combined with other treatments,
surgery can help ease symptoms and
extend or improve quality of life.
Since the cancer usually has spread by
the time it is discovered, surgery can
cure
it in fewer than
25% of patients.

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Survival Rates
5-year localized survival rate is 33.7%
Localized cancer is cancer that, at the time of
diagnosis, had not spread to additional sites
within the body. Typically, the earlier a cancer is
detected and diagnosed, the more successful the
treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate.

5-year overall survival rate is 16.5%

The 5-year survival rates represent persons who
are living 5 years after diagnosis, whether
disease-free, in remission, or under treatment.
They do not imply that 5-year survivors have
been permanently cured of cancer.

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How Will Cancer Affect Me

And My Family?
From the time of diagnosis, everyone is
affected
in some way, even family and friends.
The American Cancer Society works to
enhance aspects of life often challenged
by this disease through:
Reducing the physical toll of cancer.
Reducing barriers to allow those affected to
continue
with their day-to-day lives.
Reducing the social and financial impact of cancer.

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Patient Concerns
Issues associated with esophageal cancer
include inability to eat solid food, guilt
associated with tobacco and alcohol use,
and end of life issues.
Other concerns include:

Fear of recurrence
Sexual problems
Fatigue
Depression
Pain
Sleep difficulties
Changes in physical appearance
Impact on finances and loved ones
Changes in what they are able to do after
treatment

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You Are Not Alone

In recent years, the quality
of life for those who are
living with
cancer has received increased attention.
No one has to make the
cancer journey alone.
The American Cancer Society provides
sources of information and support to
cancer patients, their families, and friends.
These include access to secure and private
online chats, message boards, and support
groups.

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Connecting With Others

ACS Survivors NetworkSM is one source of
support for people with cancer and their
families and friends. This Network will
help you find and talk to others who
share your interests and experiences.
There are two ways to
participate:
1. Visit our Internet site at:
www.acscsn.org.
2. Call our toll-free number,
24 hours a day at
1877333HOPE.

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Hope For The Future

Scientists are studying
photodynamic therapy (PDT), a
treatment that destroys cancer cells
with lasers and drugs that become
active when exposed to light. PDT
may be useful in the following ways:
Treating early cases of esophageal cancer
Preventing Barretts esophagus from
becoming cancerous
Improving advanced cancer patients
ability to swallow

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Hope For The Future

Scientists are also studying:
New ways to detect changes in genes,
which may lead to more accurate
screening tests and gene therapies for
esophageal cancer.
Combinations of new chemotherapy
drugs and new ways to combine proven
drugs.
The best ways to combine
chemotherapy with
radiation therapy.

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The Bottom Line

Cancer of the esophagus usually is
diagnosed at a late stage and
therefore has a poor outlook for
survival.
Esophageal cancer can virtually be
prevented by stoppingor never
startingtobacco use and by
moderating alcohol use.
Screening endoscopy for people at
high risk can increase early
detection rates.

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Contact The American

Cancer Society
American Cancer Society programs and
services are available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
To reach us:
Visit the American Cancer Society Internet
site at www.cancer.org.
Call toll-free, 1800ACS2345.

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Additional Resources
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
Telephone: 18004CANCER (toll free)
Internet: www.nci.nih.gov