An Overview on Esophageal Cancer, its symptoms and Diagnosis

Esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) to the stomach. This tube is ideally eight inches long in most adults, and is lined by a certain pink moist tissue known as mucosa. The esophagus runs behind the heart and the windpipe, and passes through the diaphragm just before entering the stomach. The prime job of the esophagus is to transfer food from the mouth to the stomach.

What is esophageal cancer?

The cancer of the esophagus generally starts in its inner layer. It can spread throughout the other layers of this tube, as well as to other parts of the body (metastasis) as well. There are two major types of esophageal cancers, namely squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.  A person suffering from one of these severe medical conditions should ideally consult the best Esophagus doctor in Delhi for an effective management plan. Being the national capital, this city houses some of the most prominent and state-of-the-art medical facilities where one can get the best possible treatment for ailments such as these.

Factors that may lead to esophageal cancer

There are some factors that can increase a person's risk of developing esophageal cancer, and they are:

· Smoking or other any other form of tobacco abuse

· Heavy alcohol consumption

· Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which the stomach acids back flow up into the esophagus

· Barrett's esophagus. It is a medical condition that affects the lower area of the esophagus and can lead to esophageal cancer

In addition to this, men, elderly individuals and obese people may also be at a higher risk for esophageal cancer too.

The symptoms of esophageal cancer

In its early stages there might not be many definitive symptoms of this this medical condition. However as the cancer advances, a number of symptom’s can be seen in a patient. They include:

· Difficulty or pain when swallowing

· Weight loss

· Pain in the chest, behind the breastbone

· Coughing

· Hoarseness

· Indigestion and heartburn

In case you notice these symptoms in yourself or your loved ones, you should immediately consult one of the best esophagus doctors in Delhi to rule out the development of this dreaded disease. Experienced doctors specializing in various endoscopic procedures can diagnose this condition at the very onset and refer patients to cancer specialists who can then start the treatment to contain the disease.