Oesophageal Cancer Flashcards
(24 cards)
What connects the oesophagus to the pharynx?
Upper oesophageal sphincter
What connects the oesophagus to the stomach?
Lower oesophageal sphincter
What happens to the lower oesophageal sphincter between meals?
It remains tightly closed to prevent acid reflux
What are the four layers of the oesophagus?
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscular layer
- Adventitia
What type of epithelium joins at the gastrointestinal-oesophageal junction?
Stratified squamous epithelium of oesophagus joins to columnar gastric epithelium
What type of cancer is associated with the upper 2/3 of the oesophagus?
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
What type of cancer is associated with the lower 1/3 of the oesophagus?
Adenocarcinoma
Columnar glandular epithelium
List the common risk factors for both types of oesophageal cancer.
- Smoking
- Age 60+
- Achalasia
What additional risk factors are associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
- Alcohol
- Hot fluid
- Caustic strictures
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome
- Palmoplantar keratoderma
- Hot drinks
What is a common risk factor for Adenocarcinoma?
History of GORD leading to Barrett’s esophagus
What is the initial symptom of oesophageal cancer?
Asymptomatic
What is a KEY late symptom of oesophageal cancer?
Progressive Dysphagia
What are some symptoms of oesophageal cancer?
- Odynophagia
- Dyspepsia
- Pain in chest/back
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Fistula
What signs may be present in oesophageal cancer?
- Lymphadenopathy
- Melaena/haemoptysis
- Vocal cord paralysis
What is the primary diagnostic tool for oesophageal cancer?
Upper GI Endoscopy (OGD) with biopsy
** 2 week wait referal for dysphagia **
What imaging is used for staging oesophageal cancer?
CT TAP (thorax, abdomen, pelvis)
What does the TNM staging system stand for?
- Tumour size
- Lymph Node metastasis
- Distant metastasis
What is the treatment for early-stage oesophageal cancer (T1N0MO)?
- Oesophagectomy
- VATs - Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
What is the treatment for advanced stages of oesophageal cancer?
Chemotherapy and surgery
What is the focus of palliative care for incurable oesophageal cancer?
Oesophageal stent
What is the indication for surgery in early-stage oesophageal cancer?
Only indicated after metastasis is ruled out (T1N0M0)
What surgical procedures are used for oesophageal cancer?
- Oesophagectomy
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
What types of chemotherapy are used in oesophageal cancer treatment?
- Adjuvant
- Neoadjuvant
Compare the presentations of Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell carcinoma for oesopheageal cancers.
