What is esophageal cancer?

For years, esophageal cancer was a silent disease. It is not the most common, but it is among the most amoines. This week, his name has returned to the main headlines After the death of former Uruguayan President Bibi MukicaWhich opened a conversation that does not usually happen: How close is this disease?

“Most people with esophageal cancer are diagnosed when they can no longer swallow saliva,” said Dr. Alan Borrguret, an atrocitstander at the Institute of Oncology in Texalaoud. “By that time, the esophagus is so hidden to the extent that eating is no longer possible. They reach weight loss and malnutrition. When we see them.”

What is esophageal cancer and who affects?

Even if you talked about it Esophageal cancer“As if it was one thing, in fact These two. The first is Tired cancerSmoking, alcohol, and low social and economic factors.

You may be interested in reading: Do you eat this every day? Thus, the cancer that kills men begins in the north of the country

The second, and the self that grew more in the West, It is glandular cancerCaused by chronic acid reflux, especially in people with obesity or weak diet.

Here comes the fact that light alerts must be: This type of cancer It grows in youthAnd many do not even know.

“Before we see it in men over the age of 65 years. Today we see patients from 40 or less,” Burghott warns.

Common symptoms such as ignorance?

Esophageal cancer You can start with simple discomfortFeeling that “food is stuck.” The so -called medical progress is medically. Initially it costs swallowing solids.

Then even liquids. But many people normalize it. “They spend months thinking that it is gastritis or stress,” explains the specialist. This delay can cause the difference between a healing stage … and the conflict is difficult.

There is also another path that we usually ignore: acid reflux. “If you have a fixed bounce for more than eight weeks and do not improve with treatment, you should make analogy the endoscopy,” the doctor recommends.

This chronic inflammation can develop into a condition called esophagus, which is a phase of cancer.

Very hot drinks and other invisible risks

In addition to alcohol, cigars and obesity, there is another factor in its discussion: Excessive hot drinks.

“In Asia, where injections or soup are consumed above 65 degrees Celsius regularly, there are more esophageal cancer cases,” explains Borguet.

Fixed heat can harm the inner lining of the esophagus, and the body, when trying to repair, can cause cellular mutations.

Can esophageal cancer be prevented?

There is no program for early detection in Mexico – in most countries – because its occurrence is still relatively low.

“But this does not mean that nothing can be done,” the specialist says. The key is the presence of chronic carrots, weight loss, leaving tobacco and mild alcohol.

In addition, before any sign of dysphagia, go to the doctor without waiting. “It is not normal for food to falter. It is not normal for you to need fluids to swallow something solid every day. This is a warning sign,” says Borgweth.

What if it was already discovered?

While esophageal cancer is usually detected late, treatment may be provided. “Today we use a multimedia strategy: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and even immunotherapy,” says oncologist. “If it is discovered in the early stages, it can be addressed by laparoscopic.”

The problem is that a few of them arrive on time. In Mexico, esophageal cancer He is ranked 23rd in its occurrence, but 18 in deaths. That is, when it happens, it is usually fatal.

Hope, however, in early diagnosis. If it is discovered in stage 1, 5- Survival can reach 80 %. In advanced stages, such as 3, it decreases to 25 %.

What everyone should know about esophageal cancer

Not every bounce leads to cancer, and not all discomfort when swallowing is a sentence. But there are signs that should not be ignored:

• Fixed bounce without improving for more than 8 weeks
• The difficulty of swallowing is worse
• Weight loss without explanation
• Pain when swallowing or feeling burning in his chest

“Young people can also get sick. You have to stop thinking that cancer is an old issue,” says Borgweth.

The key, as in almost all types of cancer, is listening to the body, not normalizing discomfort and seeking a timely medical help.

BGPA