Cancer of the Esophagus

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The esophagus (UK spelling: oesophagus) is a long hollow muscular tube which connects the throat to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is a disease where malignant (cancerous) cells arise in the tissues of the esophagus. The most common symptom is difficulty in swallowing. It can also be associated with weight loss and sometimes pain or discomfort behind the breast bone or in the back - these symptoms should be checked by a doctor but not are sure signs of cancer. There are two main types of esophageal cancer (depending on how the cells appear under the microscope); approximately half are classed as "squamous cell carcinomas" and half as "adenocarcinomas". People with frequent gastric reflux leading to Barrett's Esophagus have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. Menu: Cancer of the Esophagus Information for Patients and the Public Information for Health Professionals / Researchers Barrett's Esophagus, Reflux and Risk of Esophageal Cancer Gastrointestinal System Cancers Molecular Biology of Esophageal Cancer Information for Patients and the Public (17 links) What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Esophagus - Patient's booklet (National Cancer Institute, USA) This site contains information about the disease, diagnosis, staging, and treatment options. American Gastroenterological Association (USA) Cancer of the Oesphagus (Jeremy Livingstone, Consultant Surgeon, UK) This page includes a summary of oesophageal cancer and surgery. It includes images of barium swallow X-ray, endoscopic view, resected specimines and oesophagus with expanding metal stent. Cathy's Esophageal Cancer Cafe This colourful site includes details of an EC mailing list, details about the disease and its causes, treatments, food and nutrition, and links to related resources. Corticosteroids for the resolution of malignant bowel obstruction in advanced gynaecological and gastrointestinal cancer (Cochrane Collaboration) Synopsis and abstract of a systematic review. EC-GROUP - Esophageal Cancers Discussion Group Email discussion list Esophageal Cancer - overview (MedicineNet) Esophageal Cancer Menu (Oncolink) FTOCS - Familial Tylosis and Oesophageal Cancer Study (Molecular Genetics and Oncology Group, University of Liverpool, UK) A study into a rare form of oesophageal cancer, associated with an inherited skin condition called ‘tylosis’. The site includes information for patients, doctors and scientists. Humberside Oesophageal Support Group A support group for people with oesophageal cancer and other medical problems of the oesophagus. Oesophageal cancer (CancerHelp UK) Information about the cancer, diagnosis, treatment and living with the disease. Oesophageal Patients Association An organisation and charity founded in 1985 by survivors of oesophageal cancer. Patient's information for Esophageal Cancer (CancerNet) Information about the disease, staging, and treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by a panel of medical experts. Preoperative radiotherapy in esophageal carcinoma (Cochrane Collaboration) Abstract of a systematic review. Questions and Answers: Cancer of the oesophagus (gullet) From the CancerHelp Web site produced by Cancer Research UK. Seattle Barrett's Esophagus Research Program Barrett's Esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition arising in 10-20% of patients with chronic reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. It is associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. Understanding Cancer of the Esophagus (Oesophagus) (BACUP, UK) An on-line booklet See also Cancer Resources for Patients and the Public Information for Health Professionals / Researchers (19 links) American Gastroenterological Association (USA) Cancer of the Oesphagus (Jeremy Livingstone, Consultant Surgeon, UK) This page includes a summary of oesophageal cancer and surgery. It includes images of barium swallow X-ray, endoscopic view, resected specimines and oesophagus with expanding metal stent. CancerLit: Gastrointestinal Cancers (National Cancer Institute) On-line abstracts for health professionals. Sorted by month and year for Screening, Anal, Colorectal, Esophageal, Bile Duct, Gallbladder, Gastric ca., Carcinoid, Liver, Pancreatic, Small Intesatine Case study: Carcinoid tumor arising in a Meckel's diverticulum in a 70 year old man (Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh) Corticosteroids for the resolution of malignant bowel obstruction in advanced gynaecological and gastrointestinal cancer (Cochrane Collaboration) Synopsis and abstract of a systematic review. Esophageal Cancer - Genetic Information (OMIM, National Center for Biotechnology Information, USA) Esophageal Cancer Menu (Oncolink) Esophageal Carcinoma (Virtual Hospital) on-line mulimedia book by Brenton L. Harris, B.A. and Kemp H. Kernstine, M.D, University of Iowa August, 1998. Detailed book with chapters, images and references. Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition FTOCS - Familial Tylosis and Oesophageal Cancer Study (Molecular Genetics and Oncology Group, University of Liverpool, UK) A study into a rare form of oesophageal cancer, associated with an inherited skin condition called ‘tylosis’. The site includes information for patients, doctors and scientists. Gastrointestinal Pathology (WebPath, USA) Pathology Images - including some cancer related. GI Cancer Keratosis Palmaris ET Plantaris with Esophageal Cancer - Genetic information (OMIM, National Center for Biotechnology Information, USA) Meta Index of Gastroenterology Lists (Hardin Meta Directory of Internet Health Sources) Physician's PDQ Statement - Prevention of Aerodigestive Tract Cancer (CancerNet) Physician's PDQ statement for Esophageal Cancer (CancerNet) A referenced overview of the disease, cellular classification, staging, and current treatment overviews. It is reviewed each month by experts at the NCI. Physician's statement for Esophageal Cancer (START, European School of Oncology) Referenced statement including sections on epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, staging, treatment and follow-up produced by an editorial board of top European oncologists. Preoperative radiotherapy in esophageal carcinoma (Cochrane Collaboration) Abstract of a systematic review. Seattle Barrett's Esophagus Research Program Barrett's Esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition arising in 10-20% of patients with chronic reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. It is associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. Medline Search: esophageal cancer (PubMed)   Limit search to: [Last Year]  Limit search to: [Last 2 Years]   Limit search to: [Reviews] Shimi SM Self-expanding metallic stents in the management of advanced esophageal cancer: A review. Semin Laparosc Surg 2000;7(1):9-21    Related articles (PubMed) Reynolds JC, et al. Barrett's esophagus. Reducing the risk of progression to adenocarcinoma. [Review] Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1999;28(4):917-45    Related articles (PubMed) See also Cancer Resources for Health Professionals See also Oncology Journals Barrett's Esophagus, Reflux and Risk of Esophageal Cancer Gastric reflux is where stomach acids frequently travel back up into the esophagus. This causes irritation to the cells lining the esophagus. Over time this may develop into Barrett's esophagus, where the cells in the irritated part of the esophagus begin to resemble the cells that line the stomach - changing from normal stratified squamous epithelium to metaplastic columnar epithelium. Gastric reflux and Barrett's esophagus are risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Selected references Macdonald CE et al. Final results from 10 year cohort of patients undergoing surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus: observational study BMJ 2000;321:1252-1255 McGarrity TJ. Barrett's oesophagus: the continuing conundrum. Surveillance should be confined to the surgically fit [Editorial] BMJ 2000;321:1238-1239 Weston AP, et al. Long-term follow-up of Barrett's high-grade dysplasia. Am J Gastroenterol 2000 Aug;95(8):1888-93    Related articles (PubMed) Gonzalez-Correa CA, et al. Assessing the conditions for in vivo electrical virtual biopsies in Barrett's oesophagus. Med Biol Eng Comput 2000 Jul;38(4):373-6    Related articles (PubMed) Van Eyken P Definition of Barrett's oesophagus. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2000 Jan-Mar;63(1):10-2    Related articles (PubMed) Reynolds JC, et al. Barrett's esophagus. Reducing the risk of progression to adenocarcinoma. [Review] Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1999;28(4):917-45    Related articles (PubMed) Lagergren J, et al. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux as a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. N Engl J Med 1999; 340(11):825-31    Related articles (PubMed) Morales TG, et al. Barrett's esophagus: update on screening, surveillance, and treatment. Arch Intern Med 1999 Jul 12;159(13):1411-6    Related articles (PubMed) O'Connor JB, et al. The incidence of adenocarcinoma and dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus: report on the Cleveland Clinic Barrett's Esophagus Registry. Am J Gastroenterol 1999 Aug;94(8):2037-42    Related articles (PubMed) Kim R, et al. Etiology of Barrett's metaplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1997 May;6(5):369-77    Related articles (PubMed) Medline Search: Barrett's esophagus AND esophageal cancer (PubMed)   Limit search to: [Last Year]  Limit search to: [Last 2 Years]   Limit search to: [Reviews] Topic last revised: 12/11/2000