What Is Oesophageal Cancer?
Oesophageal cancer or gullet cancer is malignancy in the oesophagus. There are various forms, with the main 2 types being squamous cell cancer (arising in the cells lining the upper part of the oesophagus), and adenocarcinoma (arising in the glandular cells).
Oesophageal cancer is diagnosed in around 8,100 people every year in the UK. It is more common in men than in women, and occurs usually in people over the age of 45.
The causes of oesophageal cancer are varied. Risk factors such as: smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, achalasia (a muscle condition affecting the opening between the oesophagus and the stomach), and tylosis (a rare inherited skin condition).
There are various signs of oesophageal cancer that can be an indication of the disease. These include: difficulty in swallowing, regurgitating food, weight loss, pain in the throat or back, acid indigestion, hoarseness or chronic coughing, and coughing up blood.
The LOC provides the most advanced private oesophageal (gullet) cancer treatments performed by experts in the field. The LOC can help to plan and implement the best course of treatment for each individual case.