esophageal cancer?

Question

my friend's mom died of esophageal cancer. she died 2 months after she was diagnosed. she wasnt a smoker/drinker. my friend said that there are more women in her family that had it. and her doctor told her it was highly hereditary

i looked it up on the computer and found out that black ppl are more likely to get it than white people (her family is white) and men get it more than women (women in her family had it) and it said that it wasnt known if it was hereditary. she has an aunt on her DADs side that was just diagnosed with it yesterday.

she is worried she will have it. any information i could share with her?

Answer 1

In the United States, cancer of the esophagus is primarily due to changes that are a result of reflux. Although esophagus cancer is comparitively rare, it is less rare in people with severe reflux. The person who mentioned above that they have "Barrett's esophagus" represents a small percentage of people with reflux who are at increased risk for cancer, however even in that situation, the risk of cancer is only about a percent. Less than 20,000 people a year in the US get diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

There is no evidence to suggest that there is a hereditary factor in this type of cancer, and "Plummer-Vinson" (mentioned in another answer) is not a risk factor for cancer. This a condition of non-cancerous esophageal abnormalities and anemia. Ignore that comment.

Esophageal cancer is terribly aggressive. Typically, by the time it is discovered, it is far too advanced to be cured. This is due, in part, to the rapid spread that can occur from the site of origin into a multitude of lymph nodes throughout the chest. This can occur even when the primary tumor is merely a microscopic change in the lining of the esophagus. In addition, the cancer usually has to be bulky in order to cause symptoms. So, it spreads early, but it calls attention to itself late.

This disease isn't common enough to warrant screening everyone with endoscopy. Colon cancer is common enough that everyone after age 50 should undergo routine screening. Esophagus cancer is not. However, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is common, and among those people it is prudent to evaluate periodically with the flexible scope. The reason for this isn't primarily to rule out cancer, but instead to monitor for inflammation that may represent inadequate treatment. Once chronic changes such as Barrett's esophagus (which is an alteration to the type of tissue lining the esophagus) have been identified, then the use of routine screening endoscopy with random biopsies is certainly warranted. Even though esophagus cancer is rare, it is common enough in this subgroup that the benefits of screening and potential early detection of cancer outweigh the considerations of risk or cost.

... I hope that helps.

You are welcome to contact me if you have specific questions.

Answer 2

I would rule out cancer unless you have difficulty swallowing. However you are at increased risk for an esophageal ulcer. In fact it sounds like you have one already. Go to your doctor and ask him or her to order blood work, upper GI ultrasound and xrays, as well as an endoscopy. The doctor will put a small tube down your throat and into your stomach. the tube has a mini camera in it and the doctor will be able to see any ulceration, bleeding or tumour. your doctor can also give you a prescription for medicine like Prevacid or Ranitidine. These will inhibit the production of stomach acid, and allow your esophagus to heal.

Answer 3

My dad passed away about a month ago from esophageal cancer so I feel for her. He lived for 18 months after he was diagnosed. Its a horrible thing to see a person go through.THis is sometihng that I have been wondering about also. I'm sorry I dont have any answers for you. Good luck!

Answer 4

She should go to her gastroenterologist and have an upper endoscopy where they will check out her esphagus.

They can check for possible reflux (sometimes it happens when you don't realize it at night)

That was the case with me and now I have Barrett's Esophagus... a precursor to Esaphageal cancer.

Your note makes me worried that they didn't diagnose it until 2 months before she died.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Esophageal cancers are typically carcinomas which arise from the epithelium, or surface lining, of the esophagus. Most esophageal cancers fall into one of two classes: squamous cell carcinomas, which are similar to head and neck cancer in their appearance and association with tobacco and alcohol consumption, and adenocarcinomas, which are often associated with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus . A general rule of thumb is that a cancer in the upper two-thirds is a squamous cell carcinoma and one in the lower one-third is an adenocarcinoma. Rare histologic types of esophageal cancer are different variants of the squamous cell carcinoma, and non-epithelial tumors, such as leiomyosarcoma, malignant melanoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, lymphoma and others.

Answer 6

Cancer sucks! Check out this site. Also call your local Cancer Society. You can find them in the phone book.
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Have her get tested.
She needs and EGD, and some other preventative medicine.
Have her set up with a Gastroenterologist.
Investigate Plummer Vinson Syndrome.

Answer 8

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