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Behind dysphagia: What are the early warning signs of esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer, as a global health problem, is gradually attracting people's attention. This type of cancer, which begins in the esophagus, often does not show obvious symptoms until the disease has progressed to a later stage. Symptoms of dysphagia may initially begin with solid foods, but as the condition worsens, even soft foods and even liquids may become difficult to swallow. These early warning signs should not be ignored as they may be precursors to the disease's progression.
Early dysphagia may be the first sign of esophageal cancer. As the disease progresses, it may be accompanied by a series of symptoms such as weight loss, chest pain, and hoarseness.
Medical experts point out that esophageal cancer is mainly divided into two subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The former is mainly found in developing countries, while the latter is more common in industrialized countries. The causes of these two cancers are different. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually related to smoking, alcohol abuse, and extremely hot drinks; while adenocarcinoma is mostly related to factors such as obesity and gastroesophageal reflux.
Main symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms of esophageal cancer usually appear when the tumor has penetrated more than 60% of the circumference of the esophageal tube, and the condition is already relatively serious. The most common symptoms include difficulty swallowing, and as the tumor grows, further symptoms reflect the impact of the tumor on surrounding tissue.
In addition to difficulty swallowing, patients may experience symptoms such as retrosternal pain, regurgitation of food, and voice changes, which are important clues leading to early diagnosis.
The diagnosis of esophageal cancer is generally made through endoscopy, a procedure in which a flexible tube with a lens is inserted into the esophagus for visual examination. With this method, doctors can directly observe the diseased tissue and perform a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer.
Potential causes and risk factors
Different types of esophageal cancer have unique risk factors. Major risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma include smoking and alcohol consumption, while adenocarcinoma is strongly associated with long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Persistent presence of these factors may lead to cellular changes that ultimately develop into cancer.
Research shows that half of squamous cell carcinoma cases are related to lifestyle, especially smoking and alcohol abuse.
In addition, obesity is closely related to the risk of adenocarcinoma. With changes in lifestyle, especially changes in eating habits, the rising obesity rate has become a challenge faced by many people, and has further increased the incidence of adenocarcinoma.
Prevention and treatment methods
An important way to prevent esophageal cancer is a healthy lifestyle, which includes quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight. At the same time, a balanced diet, especially one rich in vegetables and fruits, is crucial to reducing cancer risk.
Regular examination of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease to detect potential lesions early has become an effective strategy to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer.
In terms of treatment, the medical team will formulate a corresponding treatment plan based on the stage of the cancer and the patient's overall condition. For tumors detected early, surgery is the main treatment, but in more severe cases, chemotherapy or radiotherapy become adjuvant treatment options.
Need more attention in the future
According to the latest statistics, the incidence of esophageal cancer is still rising worldwide. In 2018, 572,000 new cases of esophageal cancer were diagnosed worldwide, resulting in 509,000 deaths. Notably, the incidence is three times higher in men than in women. With changes in lifestyle habits and iterations of dietary patterns, the incidence of esophageal cancer may continue to be challenged.
In the current medical system, early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer remains an important challenge, and the general five-year survival rate is only 13% to 18%.
Behind the development of esophageal cancer, there are not only more profound pathological mechanisms, but also closely related to our lifestyle. Is it time to rethink our eating habits and life choices to avoid more similar illnesses?
