Esophageal Neoplasms Flashcards
Which type of CA is more common in developed countries?
Adenocarcinoma > Squamous Cell CA
Which type of CA is more common in developing countries?
SCC > AdenoCA
What are the epidemiological components of esophageal CA?
- Most commonly 50-70 yr
- M > F
- African American > Caucasian
- Tobacco use & excessive ETOH account for 90% of total cases of esophageal SCC
Where is SCC commonly located in the esophagus?
middle esophagus, upper 2/3
Where is adenocarcinoma typically located in the esophagus?
distal 1/3 esophagus
What is a major risk factor for SCC?
Smoking and ETOH, poor diet
What is a major risk factor for AdenoCA?
Barrett’s esophagus (30 fold risk), tobacco, obesity
What are the risk factors for all esophageal carcinomas?
- Smoking/chew & Alcohol
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Achalasia
- Corrosive-induced esophageal strictures
A. Lye ingestion - Other head, neck, chest cancers
A. Hx of radiation Txfor other conditions in chest - Poor diet
- Obesity
What is the pathophys of esophageal CA?
- Chronic irritation leads to histologic changes in esophageal tissue:
A. Chronic tobacco, alcohol use, reflux
B. Inflammation 2°to Barrett’s esophagus, stricture or achalasia
What cells does SCC arise from?
Epithelial cells
What cells does adenocarcinoma arise from?
Glandular cells
What are the sxs of esophageal neoplasms?
1. Solid food dysphagia A. >90% progression over weeks-months 2. Weight loss 3. Odynophagia 4. Coughing on swallowing A. Suggests invasion into tracheobronchial tree 5. Chest or back pain A. Suggests mediastinal invasion 6. Hoarseness A. Recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement 7. Supraclavicular or cervical lymphadenopathy A. Indicative of mets
Why is an upper endoscopy used to dx esophageal neoplasms?
Confirms diagnosis
Biopsy for histologic Dx
Why is a CT chest and abd/pelvis/ PET scan performed in esophageal neoplasms?
- Used for staging & helps determine Tx
- Look for lung or liver mets, lymphadenopathy & local tumor extension
A. Predictors for poor prognosis
B. Mediastinal spread & lymph node involvement
What are the lab test results for esophageal neoplasms?
- Lab tests are nonspecific
+/- anemia, ↑ LFT’s if liver mets, ↑ Alk Phos if bone mets