Oesophageal Cancer

First evidence for genetic cause for Barrett's oesophagus found

Genetic variations that are linked with the onset of Barrett's oesophagus (BE), a pre-cancerous condition of the lower end of the gullet, have been identified for the first time. The discovery of variations in regions on ...

Genetics created Sep 09, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Barrett's patients who smoke twice as likely to develop oesophageal cancer

Smoking doubles the risk of developing oesophageal cancer in people with Barrett's Oesophagus, according to scientists at Queen's University Belfast and the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry.

Cancer created Jan 30, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Fluorescent dye pinpoints tiniest signs of oesophageal cancer

(Medical Xpress) -- A fluorescent dye that can be sprayed onto the oesophagus – the food pipe – could be used to detect oesophageal cancer earlier and spare patients unnecessary treatment, according to research ...

Cancer created Jan 16, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers use sugar to halt esophageal cancer in its tracks

Scientists working at the Medical Research Council have identified changes in the patterns of sugar molecules that line pre-cancerous cells in the esophagus, a condition called Barrett's dysplasia, making it much easier to ...

Cancer created Jan 15, 2012 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study reveals UK's declining health performance compared to other high income countries over past 20 years

Six decades of universal free health care, the introduction of widespread public health initiatives (e.g., tobacco control, cancer screening, and immunization), and substantial increases in health expenditure have failed ...

Health created Mar 04, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cancer death rates over a third higher in men than women

Men are over 35 per cent more likely to die from cancer than women in the UK, according to a new report released today .

Cancer created Jan 29, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Docetaxel significantly increases survival for incurable gastric cancers

Survival for advanced stomach and oesophagael cancer patients increases by 40 per cent when treated with the chemotherapy drug, Docetaxel – providing evidence to prescribe it as a second-line treatment, ...

Cancer created Jan 23, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Centralization to fewer surgeons results in better survival after esophageal cancer surgery

Patients who undergo surgery for oesophageal cancer have a much greater chance of long term survival if the operation is carried out by a surgeon who has performed this particular operation many times before. This according ...

Cancer created Jan 07, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Effects of stopping alcohol consumption on subsequent risk of esophageal cancer

Cancer of the oesophagus is becoming more common in Europe and North America. Around 7,800 people in the UK are diagnosed each year. The exact causes of this cancer aren't fully understood. It appears to be more common in ...

Addiction created Sep 13, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Largest review of management and treatment of Barrett's dysplasia and adenocarcinoma

The world's largest review of all the evidence on the best way of managing and treating common pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the oesophagus (gullet) has found that good endoscopy equipment, more endoscopic surgery, ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Jul 23, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Serious complications after oesophageal surgery cause lasting health problems in long-term survivors

(Medical Xpress) -- Oesophageal cancer is a very serious form of cancer that, if not fatal, requires extensive surgery. A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that when serious complications arise after surgery for ...

Cancer created Apr 03, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Breakthrough in the development of a diagnostic test for oesophageal cancer

A team of scientists, led by the University of Liverpool, has made a major advance in the development of a diagnostic test for oesophageal cancer. The findings, achieved at STFC's ALICE accelerator facility, ...

Cancer created Feb 08, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

High risk oesophageal cancer gene discovered

New research from Queen Mary, University of London has uncovered a gene which plays a key role in the development of oesophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet).

Genetics created Jan 19, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Impaired quality of life: A warning signal after oesophageal cancer surgery

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that most patients who survive for at least five years after oesophageal cancer surgery recover an average quality of life. However, quality of life deteriorates signif ...

Cancer created Jan 04, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Simple test to help diagnose bowel and pancreatic cancer could save thousands of lives

A simple online calculator could offer family GPs a powerful new tool in tackling two of the most deadly forms of cancer, say researchers.

Cancer created Dec 14, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0


Esophageal cancer (or oesophageal cancer) is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer (approx 90-95% of all esophageal cancer worldwide) and adenocarcinoma (approx. 50-80% of all esophageal cancer in the United States). Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma arises from glandular cells that are present at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.

Esophageal tumors usually lead to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), pain and other symptoms, and are diagnosed with biopsy. Small and localized tumors are treated surgically with curative intent. Larger tumors tend not to be operable and hence are treated with palliative care; their growth can still be delayed with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of the two. In some cases chemo- and radiotherapy can render these larger tumors operable. Prognosis depends on the extent of the disease and other medical problems, but is fairly poor.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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