Oesophageal cancer

Question 1

What is oesophageal cancer?

Answer 1

Most oesophageal cancers are mucosal lesions that originate in the epithelial cells lining the oesophagus.

Question 2

What are the risk factors of oesophageal cancer?

Answer 2

> Male
> Tobacco
> Alcohol
> GORD/ Barrett's oesophagus
> Hiatus hernia
> FHx
> Low socioeconomic sttatus
> Non white race
> High temp
> Low intake of fresh fruit and veg

Question 3

What is the epidemiology of oesophageal cancer?

Answer 3

The annual incidence reported in Linxian Province in central China is 140 per 100,000.

This compares with an average rate for Western countries of 3 per 100,000.

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of oesophageal cancer?

Answer 4

Dysphagia
Odynophagia
Weight loss
 Hoarseness
Hiccups
Postprandial cough

Question 5

What investigations might you do for oesophageal cancer?

Answer 5

> OGD
> metabolic profile
> CT/ MRI CAP
> Endo US with FNA
> Bronchoscopy with FNA
> Echo