Definition
Like pancreatic cancer, cancer of the esophagus is also a rather rare but very virulent neoplasm: in general, cancer originates in the cells that line the esophagus internally (squamous cell carcinoma), but also adenocarcinoma ( cancer of the esophagus originating in the glandular epithelium) is a rather common form.
Causes
Smoking and alcohol abuse are the two causal factors most implicated in the onset of cancer of the esophagus, although a single and precise cause has not yet been identified. Other possible risk factors include: diet lacking in fruit and vegetables, hiatal hernia, Barret's esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux diseases. It has been observed that age and sex also influence the onset of cancer of the esophagus: in fact, the subjects most at risk of esophageal cancer are men over sixty.
Symptoms
As with the vast majority of cancers, esophageal cancer also rarely presents with clear and precise symptoms: for this reason, cancer tends to be diagnosed late. , difficulty / inability to swallow, weight loss, hoarseness, hiccups, cough, vomiting.
Information on Esophageal Cancer - Esophageal Cancer Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between healthcare professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Esophageal Cancer - Drugs to Treat Esophageal Cancer.
Medicines
Cancer of the esophagus localized (circumscribed) or in any case of regional extension, must be treated surgically. It should be remembered, however, that it is not always possible to intervene with surgical treatments: this depends on the stage of advancement of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, given that, as we have previously analyzed, esophageal cancer begins with a rather nuanced symptomatology which, apparently, does not cause concern.
Radiation therapy is sometimes used before subjecting the patient to surgery: this practice is generally reserved for patients with stage IIB and III esophageal cancer (locally advanced, non-metastatic cancer). In this case, radiation therapy is useful. to reduce the extension of the tumor and to increase the possibility of a successful resurgence of the surgery.
In some patients, however, surgery is not feasible: therefore, chemotherapy - possibly associated with radiotherapy - represents the treatment of choice.
The following are the classes of anticancer drugs most used in the therapy against esophageal cancer, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease. the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
For the pharmacological treatment of cancer of the esophagus, chemotherapy is often used in combination; monotherapy, therefore, is not a very reliable option, given the danger of the disease. Generally, cisplatin is used in combination with fluorouracil, especially in combination with radiotherapy. Another therapeutic scheme associates paclitaxel or irinotecan with cisplatin: the problem, in the latter option, is represented by the serious side effects, sometimes so severe as to cancel the therapeutic effects.
- Cisplatin (eg. Cisplatin ACC, Platamine, Pronto Platamine): indicatively, the dose of this drug varies from 60 to 270 mg per square meter of body surface (to be taken on day 1). Repeat the administration after 21 days. Cisplatin is combined with other anticancer drugs; the dose can be adjusted by the physician based on the associated active ingredient and the degree of progress of the disease.
- Fluorouracil (eg. Fluorouracil) in general, for the treatment of neoplasms, the drug is administered at the minimum dose of 6 mg / kg and at the maximum dose of 12 mg / kg (never exceed 400 mg of drug for malnourished subjects and 800 mg for people of normal weight). The administration of the chemotherapy should be continued for 4 consecutive days and repeated on the 6th-8th -10th-12th day. Consult your doctor for any clarifications.
- Paclitaxel (eg. Paxene, Abraxane): belonging to the taxane class, the drug is widely used in therapy for breast and ovarian cancer, but is also indicated for esophageal cancer, especially in association with other drugs antineoplastics (cisplatin) The dosage should be established by the doctor Indicatively, the drug should be administered by intravenous infusion of 3-24 hours.
- Irinotecan (eg Irinotecan ACC, Campto) generally used as a substitute for Paclitaxel, always in combination with cisplatin.
- Doxorubicin (eg Adriblastina, Caelyx, Myocet): also used for the treatment of cancer in the metastic stage. The indicative dosage, established precisely by the doctor, varies from 20 to 50 mg / m2 to be taken every 4 weeks. Consult your doctor.
Other palliative care for esophageal cancer
In some patients, esophageal cancer evolves into such an aggressive and complex stage that surgery, as well as chemo-radiotherapy, would not bring any benefit to the terminally ill. In any case, to make the symptoms less painful and bearable - especially the difficulty in swallowing (often resulting in the real impossibility of taking solid and liquid foods) - the doctor can choose some specific palliative treatments, useful for ensuring at least one nutritional intake. balanced. Among the various options, we mention:
- laser therapy: the laser, aimed at the tumor in the esophagus, allows to reconstruct the passage for food to pass (dilation of the esophageal lumen)
- the insertion of a plastic / silicone tube through the esophageal canal can simplify the transit of food
