Oesophagus Cancer

Oesophagus Cancer

  • Oesophageal cancer is cancer arising from the Oesophagus or the food pipe which runs between the throat and the stomach.
  • This cancer stands at the 8th rank as the most prevalent among the cancer types.
  • It amounts to 3.2% of the total cancer patients per year. Death rate is about 5.3% per year and the 5 year survival of the oesophagus cancer patients is 7.17%, as per Globocan, a global cancer study and research organization.
  • People between the ages of 45 and 70 have the highest risk of oesophageal cancer.
  • Men are 3 to 4 times more likely than women to develop oesophageal cancer.
  • Tobacco and alcohol consumption have been found to be the biggest factor for its prevalence.

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

When Oesophageal cancer first develops it rarely causes any symptoms as the tumor is very small. It is only when the cancer starts to become large and more advanced that symptoms start to develop –

  • Difficulty for swallowing.
  • Weight loss.
  • Persistent indigestion.
  • Pain in chest and back.
  • Hoarseness of voice.
  • Persistent cough.
  • Vomiting & Coughing blood etc.

Physical Examination and Investigation

If you have symptoms that may signal Oesophageal cancer, your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your health; your lifestyle, including smoking and drinking habits; and your family medical history.

One or more of the following tests may be used to find out if you have Oesophageal cancer and if it has spread. These tests also may be used to find out if treatment is working.

  • Imaging Tests –
    – X- rays
    –  CT or CAT (computed axial tomography) scans
    – MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
    – PET (positron emission tomography) scans
  • Biopsy –

    One of the following methods may be used to biopsy tissue to find out if you have Oesophageal cancer.

  • Esophagoscopy –
    An endoscope is inserted through the mouth or nose into the oesophagus. The doctor looks at the oesophagus and removes small pieces of tissue.

  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or Endosonography –
    An endoscope is inserted through an opening in the body, usually the mouth or rectum. At the end of the tube there is a light, a tiny camera and a device that sends out ultrasound (high-energy sound) waves to make images of internal organs.

  • Video Endoscopy –
    An endoscope with a special fibre-optic camera is inserted through the mouth, allowing the doctor to view the oesophagus and biopsy the suspicious area.

  • Bronchoscopy –
    Using a tool called a bronchoscope, which is similar to the endoscope, the doctor looks at the trachea (windpipe) and the tubes that go into the lungs.

  • Laryngoscopy –
    With a tool called a laryngoscope, which is similar to the endoscope, the doctor examines the larynx (voice box).

  • Biomarker investigations

Treatment

  1. To plan personalised treatment for each individual patient as every individual is different even if they have the same type of cancer.
  2. To improve health related quality of life (QOL) in all types and stages of cancer patients.
  3. To plan for partial or total regression of tumour depending on the nature of tumors.
  4. To increase overall survival (OS) of patients.
  5. To increase disease free survival (DFS) where complete resection of tumour is achieved.
  6. To provide a treatment option to patients who are refractory to conventional treatments like chemotherapy / radiotherapy / immunotherapy etc.
  7. To reduce the rate of growth of the tumor in recurrent and advanced staged cases.
  8. To increase progression free survival in advance cases.
  9. To reduce impact of symptoms related to progression of disease.
  10. To improve confidence of patients.
  11. To provide palliative support in end-of- life cancer cases.
  12. To add happiness and extension of life to cancer patients.
  13. To compliment other therapies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy in a synergistic way.
  14. To reduce severity or adverse effects of other conventional treatment. This reduces incidence and frequency of hospitalization.
  1. It is pertinent to note that Rasayu Cancer Clinic does not claim or blame anything while communicating any aspect to cancer patients.
  2. Rasayu Cancer Clinic focuses on Ayurveda fundamental based therapies.
  3. Rasayu Cancer Clinic believes in continuous improvement in service and science.
  4. Rasayu Cancer Clinic always advocates patient centric approach which leads to long and happy life of cancer patients.
  5. Every patient has a right to choose the therapy.
  6. Rasayu Cancer Clinic never imposes Rasayana therapy on patients but helps them to take the right decision, hence making patients/ relatives well aware about the disease and possible outcomes along with its risk benefit and cost benefit ratios.
  7. Rasayu Cancer Clinic is well connected with global updates in cancer care and therapies, through advisors and collaborations with national and international institutes.

Surgery

  1. Surgery is the most common treatment for cancer of the oesophagus.
  2. Part of the oesophagus may be removed in an operation called an Esophagectomy.

Chemotherapy

  1. Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
  2. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy).
  3. When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy).
  4. The way chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
  5. Possible side effects of chemotherapy – Click Here
  6. Side effects of Chemotherapy – Click Here
  7. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of Chemotherapy – Click Here

Radiation Therapy

  1. Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
  2. There are two types of radiation therapy:
    – External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer.- Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
  3. Side effects of radiotherapy – Click Here

Immunotherapy

  1. Efficacy of the treatment is still not clear as per the National Library of Medicine, since there is a need for improved biomarkers.
  2. Cost of this treatment is high and many times does not fit into cost benefit ratio.
  3. Side Effects – Click Here 
  4. Risk and Benefits of Immunotherapy – Click Here 
  5. Side effects of Immunotherapy – Click Here

Laser Therapy

  1. Laser therapy is a cancer treatment that uses a laser beam (a narrow beam of intense light) to kill cancer cells.

Electrocoagulation

  1. Laser therapy is a cancer treatment that uses a laser beam (a narrow beam of intense light) to kill cancer cells

Rasayu Cancer Clinic Rasayan Treatment Protocol – To know more please click here

Rasayu Therapy is recommended for those :

  1. Who voluntarily opted for this treatment as their first choice.
  2. Who are disenchanted with the past treatments.
  3. Who do not see any other options of treatments.
  4. Who are looking for personalized treatment plan.
  5. Who desire a convenient home-based oral therapy which is easy for consumption.
  6. Who are susceptible to acquire hospital borne infections/ complications, hence not willing to be hospitalised.
  7. Who are looking for favourable risk benefit ratio.
  8. Who desire to improve Quality of Life benchmarks based on global standards and monitored regularly.
  9. Who wants to be involved in decision making for choice of treatment.
  10. Who are willing to be involved in monitoring the efficacy of Rasayana Therapy.
  11. Who believe in the transparency of the process by conducting regular investigations by biochemical parameters/ hi tech imaging techniques like PET scan etc.
  12. Who are looking for professionals being sensitive to the patient, the care givers and the family.
  13. Who desire to take even with other treatments including Chemotherapy / Radiotherapy.

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