Week 17 - Oesophageal Cancer Flashcards
what do patients with symptoms suspicious of cancer get
a two week wait referral for further investigation
what can primary care refer for
an urgent direct-access endoscopy
what are the key red flags to look out for for oesophageal cancer
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) at any age gets an immediate two week wait referral
Aged over 55 (this is generally the cut-off for urgent versus routine referrals)
Weight loss
Upper abdominal pain
Reflux
Treatment-resistant dyspepsia
Nausea and vomiting
Upper abdominal mass on palpation
Low haemoglobin (anaemia)
Raised platelet count
what are the four types of oesophageal tumour
adenocarcinoma,
squamous cell carcinoma, leiomyoma
and squamous papilloma
what is the most common form of oesophageal cancer
squamous cell and adenocarcinoma
what is the male to female ratio for oesphageal tumours
2:1
what certain foods can predispose to squamous cell oesophageal cancers
cereals, and foods containing nitrous amides
where is squamous cell oesphageal cancer most commonly seen
the upper 2/3 of the oesophagus
where is adenocarcinomas found
in columnar epithelium and thus is strongly associated with Barrett’s oesophagus
why have oesophageal adenocarcinomas risen greatly in past few decades
due to increase in obesity and therefore increase in GORD
what is the most common presentation of adenocarcinoma
white, middle aged male
where are adenocarcinomas usually found
the lower 1/3 of the oesophagus
what are the clincial features of oesophageal carcinoma
disease is often very advanced by the time of symptomatic presentation:
- feeling lump in the throat not associated with eating
- dysphasia
- progressive dysphagia - characteritstic symptom
- weight loss and anorexia
- lymph nodes - Virchow’s node
what is the investigation of choice for oesophageal carcicnomas
endoscopy - 90% of oesophageal tumours can be imaged
what are oesphageal tumours staged using
the TNM staging system
what are the two treatment options for oesophageal cancer
surgery or palliative treatments
what is the 5 year survival rate for oesophageal cancers from presentation
5-9%
what does palliative treatment involve
stenting to allow swallowing
intubation to allow adequate nutritionb
how do most patients with oesophageal cancer die
bronchopneumonia as a result of aspiration due to dysphagia or oesophageal-broncho fistulas
what is leiomyoma
a benign tumour of the smooth muscle
may cause obstructive symptoms
is large – >5cm, in which case they can be removed surgically
what is a squamous papilloma
caused by the HPV, they are benign and VERY rare
what are the three main contribuatory factors to squamous cell carcinoma
smoking, alcohol and diet
what are papillomas particularly related to
cervical cancers
what percentage of people with Barrett’s have adenocarcinomas
13%