Oesophageal Carcinoma Flashcards
What are the 2 types of oesophageal carcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Which part of the oesophagus does squamous cell carcinoma affect?
Upper 2/3’s
Which part of the oesophagus does adenocarcinoma affect?
Lower 1/3
Which form of oesophageal carcinoma is more common worldwide?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Which form of oesophageal carcinoma is more common in the western world?
Adenocarcinoma
What are the causes of Adenocarcinoma?
Main
–GORD
–Barret’s oesophagus
Other
–Smoking
–Obesity
What is Barret’s oesophagus?
GORD causes squamous cells to become glandular
How does Adenocarcinoma present?
Progressive dysphasia (solids to liquids) Weight loss Lumps in throat Loss of appetite Hoarseness of voice
What causes voice to become hoarse in oesophageal carcinoma?
Invasion of laryngeal nerve
What are the investigations for oesophageal carcinoma?
GI endoscopy and biopsy
What would you use if GI endoscopy was contraindicated?
Barium swallow
What is used for staging in oesophageal cancer?
CT of Chest, abdomen and pelvis
What is the management of oesophageal carcinoma?
Resection of the tumour
(Ivor-Lewis type oesophagectomy)
What is the management of oesophageal carcinoma if it isn’t rescetible?
Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy
What is the palliative management of oesophageal carcinoma?
Stenting to allow swallowing
Intubation to allow adequate nutrients
What might patients die of with oesophageal carcinoma?
Bronchopneumonia due to aspiration
What is the most common presenting feature of oesphageal cancer?
Progressive dysphasia to solids and liquids
What are the other possible symptoms of oesophageal cancer?
Odynophagia
Anorexia
Weight loss
Vomiting
Does oesophageal cancer have a good prognosis?
No- oesophageal cancer often presents late and has an overall 5-year survival of approximately 15%
What are the main causes of squamous cell carcinoma?
smoking
alcohol
achalasia
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
diets rich in nitrosamines
