Medical Minute: Cancer of the Esophagus
Have you ever attempted to swallow food and it feels like it’s stuck in your throat (or somewhere in your upper chest)? Panic slowly begins to rise as it seems like your throat is starting to close and you feel like you can’t breathe. You feel like you’re choking until you drink something to get the food moving again.
If you’ve ever had that choking experience with food — and it occurs quite often — you may have cancer of the esophagus.
The esophagus is the long tube that transports food and drink between your mouth and your stomach. Cancer of the esophagus refers to tumors that eventually obstructs the esophagus and makes swallowing difficult.
Esophageal cancer mainly occurs in the lower portion of the esophagus, closer to your stomach. But it can occur anywhere along the esophagus from your throat to your stomach. Your risk of developing esophageal cancer greatly increases if you drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes or weed. Esophageal cancer occurs more often in men than women.
Other factors that put you at risk of developing cancer of the esophagus includes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes Barrett’s esophagus – an erosion of the lining of the esophagus. GERD is also known as acid reflux or heartburn.
Causes
It is not known what causes esophageal cancer. Cancer occurs when something triggers ordinary cells to begin multiplying rapidly. The rapid reproduction of cells forms a tumor. The tumor displaces other organs and may spread to other parts of the body (a medical term referred to as metastasis).
Signs and Symptoms
(Signs are what you see and symptoms are what you feel.) Early stages of esophageal cancer usually have no signs or symptoms.
Some of these symptoms could be caused by something as simple as the common cold or indigestion. But if you have persistent, nagging symptoms, or if you experience all of these symptoms, consult your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible.
It’s a good idea to consult the Symptom Checker to help you better understand what your symptoms mean.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects you may have esophageal cancer, he or she will order tests to confirm the diagnosis. Tests include a blood draw, X-rays, an endoscopy (a tube with a camera attached to see inside your esophagus), or a biopsy (cutting a sample of the affected area to examine under a microscope).
Treatment
Treatment of esophageal cancer depends upon the stage of the cancer. Cancer is staged from 1 (the easiest to treat) to stage 4, which is usually terminal and the most difficult to treat because it has spread elsewhere in the body.
Once the cancer is staged the doctor decides the appropriate treatment mode which can include surgery to remove part or all of the tumor, or to widen the esophagus. In some cases, parts of the esophagus must be removed. The doctor might also pass a feeding tube directly into the stomach to bypass the esophagus to provide nutrition.
Chemotherapy and or radiation therapy are also treatment options.
This has been your Medical Minute.
More Info On the Web
Esophageal Cancer – Mayo Clinic
Cancer of the Esophagus – MedicineNet
Esophageal Cancer – MedlinePlus
Esophagus Cancer – Cancer.org
DISCLAIMER
Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following advice found on this blog.
99 Responses to “Medical Minute: Cancer of the Esophagus”
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Where is the trachea?
Morning Erryone & Sandra -
That photo of the cancer, is gross.
ewwww…..
In August of 2000 my father was diagnosed with this type of cancer. He was given 18 months to live. He died in October of 2000.
He told me his throat started feeling tender in May of that year but he didn’t do anything about it until August. I thought that was sooo ridiculous. Who has a sore throat for 2 months and doesn’t do anything about it.
MEN that’s who.
GO TO THE DOCTOR!!
Morning y’all!
You know what I hate? Tonsilitis. That stuff HURTS.
If you’ve ever had that choking experience with food — and it occurs quite often — you may have cancer of the esophagus.
Nice to meet u Debbie Downer
**********************************
Geez Louisa now I’m gone be panicking errtime I eat a gyro and that lamb get stuck
@miamore
I’m always horrified of going to the doctor.
i hate cancer
This post makes me extremely sad. Going back downstairs
@MIAMORE
“MEN that’s who.
GO TO THE DOCTOR!”
______________
The doctor only gives bad news.
CD FENTY says:
If you’ve ever had that choking experience with food — and it occurs quite often — you may have cancer of the esophagus.
Nice to meet u Debbie Downer
**********************************
Geez Louisa now I’m gone be panicking errtime I eat a gyro and that lamb get stuck
______________________________________________________________
Why we got this post?
Your risk of developing esophageal cancer greatly increases if you drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes or weed.
________________________________________________________________
*sigh* So we’re all at high risk of developing esophageal cancer… back to detoxing this month….
me —>
<—cancer GRRRRR!
Would it be rude of me if I didn’t address the topic???
OH THEE FCK WELL!
ANYWHOOOOO – Heeeeey ya’ll!
yeah so i cant keep refreshing & seeing that yucky pic up top
Your risk of developing esophageal cancer greatly increases if you drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes or weed.
————————————
@MP
Gone have somebody mad paranoid if they start coughing and experiencing any of these other symptoms
I swear Sandra is a hypochondriac’s worst nightmare.
@Tatted
*changing topic*
So when are we gonna take that trip to Qdoba?
Why are you posting this?
Because Cinco De Mayo falls on a Sat. this year???
Im with you Tatted..
@ FE – I’ono. I’m esscared. Auntie got me scared to each and shyt. Scared I may choke and then freak out!
Qdoba – That sounds YUMMY for lunch!
CD FENTY says:
@MP
I swear Sandra is a hypochondriac’s worst nightmare. Gone have somebody mad paranoid if they start coughing and experiencing any of these other symptoms
________________________________________________________
lmfaoooooooooooooooooooo
@ Eazy – Im like we were having a good time in the post downstairs and here you come, having us all nervous to swallow (food that is)
and shyt! 
CD FENTY says:
@MP
This is the exact reason I don’t watch The Doctors’ or the other doctor show
I swear Sandra is a hypochondriac’s worst nightmare. Gone have somebody mad paranoid if they start coughing and experiencing any of these other symptoms
_________________
Oan, Happy Tuesday Folks
@Tatted
I know…I had some yesterday for lunch and thought of you!
Ahhh Ms. Sandra FOR Future Reference Though…
I NEEDS NIPPLES with MY TIDDAYS (OKAY !!!) I SAW this picture on Da Twitter of Some Chick w/ Nipple-LESS Tiddays and IT Just didn’t SIT WELL (With Me…)
Hey ery’body
@Blu
Yo ass keep laughing cause u know I’m telling the truth. I swear Sandra is like one of my aunts that no matter how much fun we have she will throw up a quick “I went to see such and such body at the funeral home and she was sharp” and errbody looking her like dude we playing spades why are u talking about this right now
@Boot
HAPPY Tuesday = TIDDAY TUESDAY
KDub says:
Why are you posting this?
Because Cinco De Mayo falls on a Sat. this year???
_____________________________________________________________________
Does everyone drunk text on this day?? Someone mentioned it yesterday but I swear I get the strangest texts around this day and St Patricks day
We got to leave this bicht one day. Might as well go
FeFe
ELove
Well Im getting
then 
then 
for CINCO DE MAYO
CD FENTY says:
@Blu
Yo ass keep laughing cause u know I’m telling the truth. I swear Sandra is like one of my aunts that no matter how much fun we have she will throw up a quick “I went to see such and such body at the funeral home and she was sharp” and errbody looking her like dude we playing spades why are u talking about this right now
_______________
You be like 
All random and chitt….
Why did I BUST out laughing
CD FENTY says:
@Blu
Yo ass keep laughing cause u know I’m telling the truth. I swear Sandra is like one of my aunts that no matter how much fun we have she will throw up a quick “I went to see such and such body at the funeral home and she was sharp” and errbody looking her like dude we playing spades why are u talking about this right now
___________
CD FENTY says:
@Blu
Yo ass keep laughing cause u know I’m telling the truth. I swear Sandra is like one of my aunts that no matter how much fun we have she will throw up a quick “I went to see such and such body at the funeral home and she was sharp” and errbody looking her like dude we playing spades why are u talking about this right now
________________________________________________________
lmfaooo right…. we talking about Tyga and @Tainted relationship , and all of a sudden we get this chit. Smh…. I need a cold pop…aint nobody got for that
Eazy says:
then 
then 
for CINCO DE MAYO
I’m gone miss u baby girl 
Well Im getting
*****************************
Well according to Sandra u will be
Usual Suspect says:
CD FENTY says:
@Blu
Yo ass keep laughing cause u know I’m telling the truth. I swear Sandra is like one of my aunts that no matter how much fun we have she will throw up a quick “I went to see such and such body at the funeral home and she was sharp” and errbody looking her like dude we playing spades why are u talking about this right now
_______________
Why did I BUST out laughing You be like All random and chitt….
_____________________________
thats when the record suddenly stops..scratches…and people get pissed off
@CD
“Sandra is like one of my aunts that no matter how much fun we have she will throw up a quick “I went to see such and such body at the funeral home and she was sharp” and errbody looking her like dude we playing spades why are u talking about this right now ”
_____________________________
Family: “Junebug gettin outta jail today! He finally coming home!”
Sandra: “I can’t wait to see Junebug! Especially since they talkin bout retrying him for that other charge and he prolly goin right back to prison.”
Did yall see that Chateau Sheree has a finished ballroom? Bish is going to be
and 
in her haters faces 
all while the property is in her mama endem name 
*time
CD FENTY says:
@Blu
Yo ass keep laughing cause u know I’m telling the truth. I swear Sandra is like one of my aunts that no matter how much fun we have she will throw up a quick “I went to see such and such body at the funeral home and she was sharp” and errbody looking her like dude we playing spades why are u talking about this right now
______________________________________________________________________
Well according to Sandra u will be
I’m gone miss u baby girl 
<——Really says YOLO! 
________________________________
@
—– 
Blu, CD & Man
Sandra: “I can’t wait to see Junebug! Especially since they talkin bout retrying him for that other charge and he prolly goin right back to prison.”
____________________________
you be wanting to punch the fock outta that Aunty, but you cant cause she your elder
FeFe
I ain’t doing roll call today, yo
@ Fe – Don’t make a bish go get a hard chicken taco with some blackbeans and shyt!
@JMO I
your easy button 
Thanks Ky
@ Kycakes, ELove, Hershey, Boot & Goat
Tatted
@Tatted
@Eazy
Ebestie
that’s how old ppl are
me: how are u today?
agnes: well u know my right foot is swole up, my gout is actin up, and i think my left ear is bout to fall off, but the Lord woke me up today so I can’t complain.
@Tatted I just got a hankering for some Tortilla Soup from the Q
STAWWWWWWWP IT. I’M HUNGRY!
Or that aunt that always talking about she might not make… after 7 years of hearing that chit, be wanting her to go to glory…
Speaking of going to glory, Barbra Bush looks 746 years old. She looks like she coughs dust. Im surprised she hasn’t bought the farm yet??
On topic: I like Sandra’s Medical Minutes …. but this one kinda took me by surprised. Please post mariah and her elephant toe
I guess I need to start skipping the medical minutes. I had to break myself from going to medicinet and all those other sites and watching dr oz, the drs because I tend to think I have symptoms of most ailments. Oh well we all gonna get out here one way or another
*it
(im off today)
The Makeup Maven says:
STAWWWWWWWP IT. I’M HUNGRY
***********************************************
Whateva u do swallow slowly. I CANT LOSE U TATTED
FeFe
What up Elove
Whaddup Though PEEPS !!!
Hello THERE @Tatted Baby
candibfly says:
that’s how old ppl are
me: how are u today?
agnes: well u know my right foot is swole up, my gout is actin up, and i think my left ear is bout to fall off, but the Lord woke me up today so I can’t complain.
_________________________________________________________________
@U-S Yep Yep
I ain’t going to say morning again.
*Looks for baby lotion and oraljel*
miamore1973 says:
In August of 2000 my father was diagnosed with this type of cancer. He was given 18 months to live. He died in October of 2000.
He told me his throat started feeling tender in May of that year but he didn’t do anything about it until August. I thought that was sooo ridiculous. Who has a sore throat for 2 months and doesn’t do anything about it.
MEN that’s who.
GO TO THE DOCTOR!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry for your loss.i too lost my Mother to Stomach cancer that spread to her Esophagus.she was diagnosed Sept 16 and passed away Dec.18th.
she had been throwing up for MONTHS,experiencing heartburn with anything she put in her mouth even water,and she finally went and had her stomach,throat scoped and it was discovered.
I fail to understand how one doesnt go check on a sudden symptom either.
CD FENTY says:
The Makeup Maven says:
STAWWWWWWWP IT. I’M HUNGRY
RIIIGHT! I had one mo’ swig of water left…bish leaving it right where it is! 
***********************************************
Whateva u do swallow slowly. I CANT LOSE U TATTED
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@JMO – Why is you sharing stuff I be telling you.
@fefe i googled the closest one to my job and found it! girl after 4years i now know
im going everyday!
@ Miamore & luVn – I’m so sorry to hear about both of your losses!
Kei_lyme says:
I ain’t going to say morning again.
*Looks for baby lotion and oraljel*
My fault Cali
<— me from now on
Livingston
Sorry for both of your losses Miamore & Luvn
cali
<—- curly weave ponytail i saw in cvs for $5
Hey er’botty
Usual, Tatted, CD, KY, Kei, JMO, Candi and anyone else I may have left out
See that man is up to no good phuckery today….
On topic – Folks is catching cancer like colds. What is it…. The way we don’t take of ourselves, the food? Mister mothers is weeks away from liver and colon cancer and her sister just had a mastectomy on he left breast.
That whack azz doctor that was speaking to Eve and Tammy, sounded like she didn’t know
she was talkn bout. Eve ain’t had a mamaogram, I wonder if she get paps for the ratchet Flousy Puzzy of hers.
blu there is a
with mariah
iono if isn’t showin her monkey or not
Linden
Cali- stop telling
Hershey
CD
Thank You Roses…
for ya luv.
My hearts still heavy,im not over it yet.BUT,Im Well
JMO says:
Where is the trachea?
_________________
I’m glad you asked that question. The trachea (and windpipe) sits directly in front of the esophagus – which is why it seems like we eat and breathe with the same tube (we don’t). You can’t see the trachea in this graphic because this post is about the esophagus. But when you swallow, there’s a thick flap that closes and seals the opening to the windpipe so food or drink doesn’t go in by accident and choke you. Of course, if there’s a problem with the flap (such as cancer), then food and drink will go down the windpipe and cause serious medical problems, or even death (from aspiration).
miamore1973 says:
In August of 2000 my father was diagnosed with this type of cancer. He was given 18 months to live. He died in October of 2000.
________________
I’m sorry to hear that hun.
ELove says:
Ahhh Ms. Sandra FOR Future Reference Though…
I NEEDS NIPPLES with MY TIDDAYS (OKAY !!!) I SAW this picture on Da Twitter of Some Chick w/ Nipple-LESS Tiddays and IT Just didn’t SIT WELL (With Me…)
__________________
This is a serious post E.
^^^
It’s ACTUALLY Too Serious (I JUST wanted to Lighten The MOOD…)