Esophageal Cancer. What is esophageal cancer? What is the esophagus?

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Esophageal Cancer. What is esophageal cancer? What is the esophagus?"

Mark Lloyd
6 years ago
Views:

involved in his church. Sustaining his busy lifestyle didn t come without costs. Jeff gained weight over time and became less physically active.

2 Jeff Stemberger was committed to his family and his faith. He was dedicated to his fast-paced career, but made time to enjoy the simple things in life with his wife and children, stay close to his mom and siblings and to be involved in his church. Sustaining his busy lifestyle didn t come without costs. Jeff gained weight over time and became less physically active. His acid reflux went from bothersome to intolerable. Then Jeff became unable to swallow his food and was advised to have an endoscopy, which revealed that he had esophageal cancer one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States. ~ Jeff Stemberger ~ January 3, October 4, 2006

3 Esophageal Cancer What is esophageal cancer? Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the esophagus grow uncontrollably and form tumors that can invade normal tissues and spread to other parts of the body. What is the esophagus? The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The wall of the esophagus is composed of a series of muscles that are responsible for peristalsis, or the muscular motion that eases the delivery of food into the stomach. Esophagus Lung Lung Heart Liver Stomach

4 Risk Factors What are the risk factors for esophageal cancer? Esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer today. Esophageal cancer occurs in approximately 14,500 Americans per year, causing about 12,000 deaths. Most patients are diagnosed in their 50s or 60s, with approximately four times as many men diagnosed than women. Cancers of the esophagus tend to be more common in Caucasian males and it is thought that the majority develop from Barrett s esophagus.

5 Barrett s Esophagus What is Barrett s Esophagus? Barrett s esophagus is a condition in which the muscular tube that carries food and saliva from the mouth to the stomach changes so that some of its lining is replaced by a type of tissue similar to what is normally found in the intestines. Barrett s esophagus is estimated to affect about 700,000 adults in the United States. The exact cause of Barrett s esophagus is not known. A factor that can increase the chances for developing it is GERD. GERD is a condition where the lining of the esophagus becomes damaged as a result of stomach acid refluxing back into the esophagus. Other risk factors include obesity, age and gender. Throughout his journey, Jeff bravely encouraged everyone to tell his story. He was committed to spreading the word about this life-threatening cancer, with the hope that others wouldn t suffer in the same way.

6 Prevention Can esophageal cancer be be prevented? There is not a clear link between family history of esophageal cancer and an individual s risk of developing esophageal cancer. Reflux is the strongest risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. There is increasing evidence that uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux and obesity are contributing to the epidemic of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Controlling reflux symptoms with dietary modification and medications if necessary, limiting alcohol use, not smoking and weight loss may all reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. Major symptoms of Esophageal Cancer Heartburn Difficulty swallowing Inability to swallow solid foods (eventually liquids also) Pain with swallowing Food sticking in esophagus Regurgitation of undigested food Vomiting blood or passing old blood with bowel movements

Diagnosis & Staging How is esophageal cancer diagnosed and staged? The initial diagnostic test of choice for a patient having trouble swallowing is a video endoscopy.

7 Diagnosis & Staging How is esophageal cancer diagnosed and staged? The initial diagnostic test of choice for a patient having trouble swallowing is a video endoscopy. If a benign stricture from uncontrolled reflux is noted, it can be treated by stretching the esophagus. If a tumor is found, it can be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. Staging: Tumors of the esophagus are staged by performing an endoscopic ultrasound which can determine how the tumor is best treated. We can then determine if the tumor can be treated with surgical or endoscopic resection alone or in combination with chemotherapy and radiation.

8 Treatment What are treatments for esophageal cancer? The preferred treatment is dependent on two main factors: the extent of the cancer the general health state of the person For patients who have very early stage disease where it has not spread to lymph nodes or deep into the esophagus, surgery alone may be appropriate. For patients with more advanced stage disease there are a number of different ways to treat esophageal cancer including: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Thanks to generous support from family, friends and coworkers, Jeff s legacy lives on through an educational video. It represents Jeff s passion for improving education, screening, prevention, diagnosis and treatment to aid in the fight against esophageal cancer the fastest growing cancer in the United States.

Comprehensive Cancer Services Cancer Services at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) We are committed to providing patients with advanced and convenient treatment.

9 Comprehensive Cancer Services Cancer Services at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) We are committed to providing patients with advanced and convenient treatment. SJMHS is one of the most advanced providers of comprehensive cancer care in Michigan and among America s leading cancer centers. Our multidisciplinary approach supports high-quality services, patient satisfaction and improved outcomes that are based on leading-edge research and clinically proven therapies. Our comprehensive services include: Michigan s first CyberKnife Radiosurgery Center A 60,000 square-foot Surgery Pavilion, with 17 surgical suites equipped for the latest minimally invasive procedures The latest clinical research trials A dedicated brachytherapy surgical suite The davinci robotic-assisted surgical system Multidisciplinary care Nationally recognized Top Docs, board certified oncologists and hematologists Quality Improvement Leaders, receiving ACOS commendations Registered nurses with chemotherapy certification National certification through the Oncology Nursing Society Pharmacologists and pharmacy technicians at each Cancer Center Social workers, patient care technicians, palliative care specialists and pastoral care support A warm, healing environment

Digestive Health Services From treatment of pancreatic biliary disease and patient support groups to endoscopic ultrasound and office-based imaging Saint Joseph Mercy Health System is ready to help

10 Digestive Health Services From treatment of pancreatic biliary disease and patient support groups to endoscopic ultrasound and office-based imaging Saint Joseph Mercy Health System is ready to help you fight digestive disease. Complete digestive care services include: Inpatient and outpatient gastrointestinal and GI surgical consultation Full range of diagnostic and endoscopic services Regional expertise in advanced endoscopic services including diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of the pancreatic and biliary systems Highly-trained colorectal and hepatobiliary surgeons Dedicated viral hepatitis clinic Full spectrum of nutrition support Ongoing research to provide patients with stateof-the-art therapies Comprehensive GI surgical capabilities National leaders in oncology Diagnostic imaging of the entire GI tract including capsule endoscopy Over 90% of people with esophageal cancer have problems swallowing and experience weight loss. Patients also complain that their food gets stuck. Naresh Gunaratam, MD Gastroenterologist Huron Gastro, Center for Digestive Care Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

11 Jeff s journey with cancer included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Initially, he received favorable outcomes from his treatments, but unfortunately, the cancer returned. Despite a valiant fight, Jeff passed away at the young age of 43, but his legacy lives on. To view the educational short video (10 minutes) visit sjmerchealth.org. For a free copy of the full version video, please call Marketing at

12 Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has a team of nearly 14,000 nurses and staff and 2,700 physicians. With hospitals and health centers in Washtenaw, western Wayne, Livingston, Oakland and St. Clair counties, we provide a remarkable blend of advanced medicine and compassionate care for patients throughout southeastern Michigan. Physician Resource Line: Patient Information: Toll-Free HOPE Remarkable Medicine. Remarkable Care. sjmercyhealth.org

Esophageal Cancer. Source: National Cancer Institute

Esophageal Cancer. Source: National Cancer Institute Esophageal Cancer Esophageal cancer forms in the tissues that line the esophagus, or the long, hollow tube that connects the mouth and stomach. Food and drink pass through the esophagus to be digested.