Gastroesophageal cancer refers to malignancies occurring at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. This area, known as the gastroesophageal junction (GOJ), is critical because it connects the food pipe to the stomach. There are three types of GOJ cancer, classified based on their location: Type I involves the lower esophagus, Type II is true junctional cancer at the squamocolumnar junction, and Type III involves the upper stomach near the junction.
Risk factors for gastroesophageal cancer include chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obesity, smoking, and a diet high in processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables. Infections like Helicobacter pylori can also increase risk by causing chronic inflammation and altering the gastric environment. Additionally, genetic predisposition and certain inherited conditions can play a role.
Symptoms of gastroesophageal cancer often include difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, and chronic indigestion or heartburn. Due to these symptoms’ non-specific nature, the cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through endoscopic examination and biopsy.
Treatment options vary depending on the cancer stage and location but often include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these modalities. Early detection significantly improves the prognosis, emphasizing the importance of regular screenings for high-risk individuals.
Gastro-esophageal cancer also known as gastro-esophageal junction (GOJ) carcinoma emerges between the food pipe and the stomach. It is the junction where the esophagus and the stomach meet at the lower esophageal area. GOJ cancer is of three types: Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3.
Type 1 The cancer grows down from above and into the gastroesophageal junction. The normal lining of the lower end of the esophagus is replaced by mutations also called Barrett’s esophagus.
Type 2 The cancer grows at the gastroesophageal junction by itself.
Type 3 The cancer grows up into the gastroesophageal junction from the stomach upwards.
Causes Of Gastroesophageal Cancer
Most patients with GE Junction Carcinoma are males. The disease is usually predominant when they are 60 years of age. It is typically caused by tobacco, alcohol and smoking for prolonged periods. The development of this cancer slow and silent consisting of initiation stage and promotion stage.
Gastroesophageal Cancer Symptoms
Some of the symptoms surrounding gastroesophageal cancer are:
- Weight loss
- Upper gastrointestinal bleeding
- Chronic cough and regurgitation
- Dysphagia
- Respiratory fistula
- Symptoms related to Distant Disease
- Metastatic disease to lungs, central nervous system and liver
- Hypercalcemia – paraneoplastic syndrome
- Laryngeal nerve invasion
- Odynophagia
Diagnosis For Gastroesophageal Cancer
Endoscopy: A long flexible tube which has a light and a camera at the end of it is inserted into the esophagus for examination.
CT Scan: A Computerized Axial Tomography scan where are series of x-rays from different angles of the body is taken and put together.
Laparoscopy: A laparoscope is a flexible tube with optical fibres at the end of it. A small incision is made in the stomach and the laparoscope is inserted through it. The doctor obtains biopsies through this.
PET CT Scan: This is a combination of PET and CT scan. The CT scan as explained above is a series of x-rays which are put together with the help of a computer. The PET utilizes a small amount of radioactive drug which is injected into the body which detects activities of cells inside the body.