Causes and Symptoms of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Esophageal mesothelioma cancer occurs in about 11,000 Americans per year. This accounts for less than 1% of all cancers. However, the incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing.

Cancer can develop in any part of the esophagus. It can spread to surrounding lymph nodes, the windpipe, and the large blood vessels in the chest, and other nearby organs. Treatment for esophageal mesothelioma cancer depends on a number of factors, including its exact location, size, extent, and type of cancer cells. It's also important to consider age and general health to develop a treatment plan to fit each patient's needs.

Causes of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Esophageal mesothelioma cancer occurs in the larynx (voice box) and oropharynx that is the part of the throat at the back of the mouth. There is sufficient to suggest that asbestos exposure is a cause of laryngeal cancer. There is insufficient evidence at this time to prove that asbestos is a cause of pharyngeal cancer.

Types of Esophageal Cancer

Squamous cell carcinomas occur in the cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinomas occur in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the esophagus and can spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Difficulty in swallowing, a feeling of fullness, pressure, or burning as food goes down the esophagus, a feeling of food getting stuck behind the breastbone.

Methods of Diagnosis

Esophagram (also called a barium swallow), is a series of x-rays of the esophagus. To prepare for this test, the patient drinks a barium solution. The barium, which shows up on x-rays, coats the inside of the esophagus for easier viewing. Esophagoscopy is a thin, flexible, lighted instrument (an endoscope) which is passed through the mouth and down the throat to the esophagus to view where the esophagus joins the stomach. Biopsy is a removal of a small amount of tissue through the endoscope to test for the presence of cancer.

Staging

The nature of the tumor is primarily evaluated by a CT scan of the chest. A CT scan reveals if the tumor has travelled into the trachea (windpipe) and large blood vessels or lymph nodes.

Esophageal ultrasound is similar to esophagoscopy, but with the addition of a built-in ultrasound devise.

PET scanning can also be used to evaluate esophageal cancer.

Treatment of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Treatment for esophageal cancer is contingent upon a number of factors, including its exact location, size, extent, and type of cancer cells. The doctor also considers the patient's age and general health to develop the best treatment plan.

Surgical resection (removal) of the tumor is the preferred treatment. Recently, surgeons have been using minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove esophageal cancers.

Chemotherapy and radiation are also frequently used, either in conjunction with surgery or independently.

Several additional options are available, including laser treatment, tumor stenting, or photodynamic therapy. For most patients, their ability to eat can be restored satisfactorily using these procedures.

A multidisciplinary team: gastroenterologist, surgeon, oncologist (cancer specialist), radiation oncologist, nurse, dietitian, and social worker join in the facilitation of patient treatment and care.

Dave Casey is a freelance medical writer for Mesothelioma-Adviser.com, a popular site providing mesothelioma cancer help. Visit the site for additional info on mesothelioma asbestos cancer and mesothelioma clinical trials

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