Esophageal cancer

Disease description

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract that affects the inner lining of the esophagus.

According to the World Health Organization, esophageal cancer ranks among the leading diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Men are four times more likely to suffer from esophageal cancer than women, with the peak incidence occurring between the ages of 50 and 60.

Symptoms indicating the need for diagnosis and treatment

In the early stages, cancer is almost asymptomatic. Over time, the patient may experience characteristic symptoms:

• Heaviness, burning, or pain behind the sternum during swallowing
• Belching
• Heartburn
• Dysphagia (swallowing disorder)
• Blood in saliva
• Hoarseness
• Increased saliva production

Diagnosis and treatment methods

Diagnosis

If esophageal cancer is suspected, the patient is prescribed a comprehensive evaluation, which includes:

• EFGDS (esophagogastroduodenoscopy): allows visualization of the tumor and biopsy sampling for cancer testing
• Blood and urine tests (including tumor markers)
• Endoscopic ultrasound (endosonography): to assess the depth of tumor invasion
• Contrast radiography: to determine the degree of esophageal narrowing
• Ultrasound (US)
• CT, MRI: to visualize metastases

Treatment

The treatment strategy for esophageal cancer in leading global clinics involves a combination of surgical, radiation, and pharmacological methods. The choice of therapy depends on the type, size, and stage of the tumor and is determined by a highly qualified oncologist or radiologist.

Surgical procedures are most often performed laparoscopically (through minimally invasive access) or using robotic systems, the primary one being the da Vinci surgical assistant.

A promising treatment method for esophageal cancer is targeted therapy, which is used in top European hospitals.

Innovations of global clinics

In technologically advanced clinics around the world, endoscopic ablation is used to remove esophageal tumors — a procedure involving the insertion of a flexible endoscope with a laser through the patient’s mouth. The main advantage of this method is that it is bloodless and requires no incisions.