Head & Neck Cancer

Question 1

What are the the screening recommendations for esophageal cancer per the Canadian Task Force for Preventative Healthcare?

Answer 1

DO NOT screen patients with chronic GERD WITHOUT alarm symptoms for esophageal adenocarcinoma or precursor conditions like Barrett’s esophagus or dysplasia.

Question 2

What are the alarm symptoms that would warrant screening for esophageal cancer (7)?

Answer 2

Dysphagia
Odynophagia
Recurrent Vomiting
Unexplained Wt Loss
Anemia
Loss of Appetite 
GI Bleed
Hx of Barrett esophagus (with and w/o dysplasia)

Question 3

How is localized gastroesophageal cancer treated?

Answer 3

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy +/- radiation, followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Question 4

How is metastatic gastroesophageal cancer treated?

Answer 4

Chemotherapy +/- trastuzumab if HER-2 +

Question 5

What are the risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (3)?

Answer 5

EtOH
Caustic Injury
Smoking

Question 6

What are the risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (4)?

Answer 6

Barrett’s esophagus
GERD
Obesity
Smoking