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Oesophageal cancer

Carcinoma oesophagi · Rakovina jícnu

What it is

Reflux-driven adenocarcinoma at the bottom, smoking-driven squamous cancer higher up.

Symptoms & signs

  • Progressive difficulty swallowing solids then liquids
  • weight loss
  • food sticking
  • hoarseness
  • chest pain

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Unable to swallow even saliva
  • call 112 / 911 now Vomiting blood or black tarry stools
  • see a doctor soon Food sticking when swallowing
  • see a doctor soon Weight loss with heartburn or hoarseness

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Endoscopic resection if early
  • oesophagectomy
  • chemoradiotherapy
  • immunotherapy (nivolumab)
  • stent for palliation

Natural & lifestyle

  • Reflux control
  • stop smoking and alcohol
  • weight loss
  • Barrett's surveillance

Emerging & experimental

  • Radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's
  • cytosponge screening
  • antibody-drug conjugates

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Aspirin with a high-dose PPI in Barrett's oesophagus (AspECT trial) — slowed progression trials support
  • Green tea polyphenols in Barrett's — early trials early / small studies
  • Alkaline diet — cannot change blood pH; untested anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes