Esophageal Cancer Quiz

Cancer of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach). The primary symptom is worsening trouble with swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck in the food tube. Sometimes people have weight loss and fatigue as well. It is diagnosed when a doctor, usually a gastroenterologist, puts a tube with a camera down the throat while the patient is sleeping and takes a biopsy of any abnormality they see in the esophagus. Once the cancer has been diagnosed by biopsy, CT scans, PET scans and MRIs may be ordered as well. Known risk factors include alcohol, smoking, a condition called "Barrett esophagus," gastric acid reflux and age.

• Black, shiny stool

• Difficulty swallowing food or water

• Chest pain

• Feeling breathless

• Recent weight loss

• Chest tightness

• Previous or active smoker

• Swollen lymph nodes, usually small swellings at the neck, armpits, groin and behind the ears

This disease should be treated by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors working together to come up with the best plan that can integrate possible surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these and in various orders and at varying times. Treatment plans vary on the size and location of the tumor, the involvement of nearby lymph nodes, and the overall condition of the patient.