Familiar but less present "esophageal diseases

Lately, it has been getting hotter and hotter as we head into summer!
Did you know that a surprisingly large number of people suffer from gastrointestinal discomfort and problems that increase during the summer?
Too much cold food intake, overcooling of the body, summer fatigue 、、、、

Is your body OK?

Everyone experiences gastrointestinal problems, but surprisingly few people complain of "pain in the esophagus. However, the esophagus can also become cancerous. Have you ever heard of this?
You may have heard of celebrities who have publicly announced that they have esophageal cancer, but for many people, esophageal cancer may be somewhat of a stranger's problem.

In this special feature, we asked Dr. Hideaki Shimada, Professor of Surgery, Toho University School of Medicine, to elaborate on esophageal cancer, including risk factors, early detection, the relationship with alcohol, and how to deal with the increasing number of reflux esophagitis cases.

Case: Mr. A, a drinker, is found to have esophageal cancer during a physical examination

Mr. A, a man in his 50s, loved to drink. He also smoked cigarettes until his early thirties.

When he underwent a physical examination, which he had avoided for several years due to the coronary disaster, an abnormality was found in his esophagus during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Since there were no subjective symptoms at all, the diagnosis came as a bolt from the blue for Mr. A. Fortunately, the cancer was detected at an early stage.

Fortunately, the cancer was detected at an early stage and could be removed by endoscopic treatment at a later date, but the doctor in charge told him, "The entire esophagus is damaged, and there is a risk of recurrence if you continue to drink alcohol. From now on, you must abstain from drinking alcohol. Mr. A lost his daily enjoyment and became completely depressed.

Esophageal cancer is difficult to treat: Alcohol and cigarettes are the biggest risks

In general, cancer is easily treatable if it is detected early. Esophageal cancer is no different. If it is detected early, as in the case of Mr. A, it can be removed by endoscopic treatment. However, if it is detected in an advanced stage, a major surgery is required. Esophageal cancer surgery is difficult and places a heavy burden on the patient's body.

Furthermore, esophageal cancer is characterized by its rapid metastasis. It is also not uncommon for esophageal cancer to spread to tongue cancer in the mouth, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer in the throat, and stomach cancer. Shimada warns, "The risk of esophageal cancer is not all that great, but the risk of esophageal cancer is very high.

But the risk of esophageal cancer is not all luck. It is important to avoid alcohol and tobacco, which are the biggest factors. In particular, it has been found that people whose faces turn red when they drink alcohol are at particularly high risk of esophageal cancer.

Reference source: Nikkei Gooday
Esophageal Cancer Risk Lurking Around Us: Early Detection Makes the Difference between Light and Dark! https://gooday.nikkei.co.jp/atcl/report/24/070100017/070200001/?i_cid=nbpgdy_sied_catelist