Oesophageal cancer Flashcards
What is the most common type of oesophageal cancer?
Adenocarcinoma is now the most common type of oesophageal cancer.
What is the primary risk factor for adenocarcinoma?
A history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or Barrett’s.
Where are the majority of adenocarcinomas located?
Near the gastroesophageal junction.
Where are squamous cell tumours most commonly found?
In the upper two-thirds of the oesophagus.
What are the common risk factors for adenocarcinoma?
GORD, Barrett’s oesophagus, smoking, and obesity.
What are the common risk factors for squamous cell cancer?
Smoking, alcohol, achalasia, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, and diets rich in nitrosamines.
What is the most common presenting symptom of oesophageal cancer?
Dysphagia.
What are other possible features of oesophageal cancer?
Anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, odynophagia, hoarseness, melaena, cough.
What is the primary method for diagnosing oesophageal cancer?
Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy.
What is the preferred method for locoregional staging?
Endoscopic ultrasound.
What imaging is used for initial staging of oesophageal cancer?
CT scanning of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
When is FDG-PET CT used?
For detecting occult metastases if not seen on initial staging CT scans.
What is the common surgical procedure for operable disease?
Ivor-Lewis type oesophagectomy.
What is the biggest surgical challenge in oesophageal cancer treatment?
Anastomotic leak, particularly with an intrathoracic anastomosis.
What additional treatment do many patients receive after surgical resection?
Adjuvant chemotherapy.
Adenocarcinoma vs squamous cell cancer - epidemiology, location, risk factors
