Types of Esophageal Cancer

Types of esophageal cancer Every esophageal cancer patient is different. The cancer experts at Cancer Treatment Centers of America ® (CTCA) have extensive experience in properly staging and diagnosing the disease, and developing a treatment plan that's tailored to your specific type of esophageal cancer.

Other possible symptoms of cancer of the esophagus can include: Hoarseness; Chronic cough; Vomiting; Hiccups; Bone pain; Bleeding into the esophagus. This blood then passes through the digestive tract, which may turn the stool black. Over time, this blood loss can lead to anemia (low red blood cell levels), which can make a person feel tired.

There are two common types of esophageal cancer: Squamous cell carcinoma occurs when cancer starts in the flat, thin cells that make up the lining of the esophagus. This form most often appears in the top or middle of the esophagus, but it can appear anywhere.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD.

Specialisation of cells is called differentiation. So these primitive cancer cells are known as undifferentiated cancer cells. Rare cancers . Other rare cancers can develop in the oesophagus they include melanoma; lymphoma; sarcomas; Grades. The grade of a cancer tells you how much the cancer cells look like normal cells.

The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is a problem swallowing, with a feeling like the food is stuck in the throat or chest, or even choking on food. The medical term for trouble swallowing is dysphagia.

Esophageal cancer. Cancer of the esophagus (also called esophageal cancer) starts in the inner layer (the mucosa) and grows outward (through the submucosa and the muscle layer). Since 2 types of cells can line the esophagus, there are 2 main types of esophageal cancer: Squamous cell carcinoma. The esophagus is normally lined with squamous cells.

Unexplained Weight Loss People with esophageal cancer sometimes suffer from unexplained or unintended weight loss for a variety of reasons. Since eating is more uncomfortable and swallowing can be difficult, some people stop eating as much on a regular basis.

Vomiting Blood and Esophageal Cancer. Vomiting blood is not the main sign of esophageal cancer, but it eventually affects patients suffering from this malignant tumor. Most patients in the beginning complain about swallowing problems while vomiting blood only occurs if cancer grows rapidly.