Cancer Fighters Thrive

SUMMER 2015

Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.

Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/507057

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 11 of 51

12 C A NCER FIGH T ER S THRI V E | sUMMER 20 15 C A NCERFIGHTER S THRI V E .COM Jonathan Kiev, MD, FACS Thoracic Surgeon Cancer Treatment Centers of America ® Zion, Illinois Cancer Type Q A & ESOPHAGEAL Are there common signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer? Cancers of the esophagus are usually found because of the symptoms they cause. Unfortunately, most esophageal cancers do not cause symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat. Symptoms can include chest pain, difculty swallowing, food sticking in throat, unintentional weight loss, upset stomach and heart- burn. Other possible symptoms of cancer of the esophagus can include hoarseness, chronic cough, vomiting, hiccups, pneu- monia, bone pain and bleeding into the esophagus. What are the common risk factors of esophageal cancer? It is important to remember that just because you are at risk of developing esophageal cancer, you may never develop the disease. Scientists have found that some people are more likely to develop the disease based on the following most common risk factors: age, gender, gas- troesophageal refux disease, Barrett's esophagus, tobacco and alcohol use, obe- sity and diet. What preventive steps can we take to reduce our risk for esophageal cancer? A good surveillance program is impor- tant especially in patients with heartburn and acid refux. Preventive measures include a good, well-rounded diet; exer- cise; abstinence from smoking; and alcohol consumption only in moderation. Any symptoms should warrant further investigation in terms of endoscopy or referral to a specialist. What should a newly diagnosed patient know about esophageal cancer? It is a multimodality disease. By that I mean multiple specialists should be involved early and ofen, and treatment should be under the care of experts in this disease. For example, your medical oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncolo- gist need to be communicating with one another regularly on the best treatment options available. You should also attempt to incorporate into the treatment plan integrative oncology therapies such as registered dietitians, naturopathic oncol- ogy providers, mind-body therapists, pain management specialists and pastoral care advisers. Tere are many options available, and the approach needs to be tailored to the patient's wants and desires. Are there specifc questions that the patient should ask his or her doctor about treatment? I feel it is important to come fully pre- pared to ask your doctor all of the ques- tions necessary to help you gain a better understanding of what it is you are facing. Tere are literally hundreds of questions that can be asked, and I would suggest going on the Internet to research potential questions. My top 10 questions include the following: • What is your experience with treat- ing this disease? • What is the type, stage and grade of the disease? What does this mean? • What are my treatment options, and what do you recommend? Why? • What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better or both? • What are the possible side efects of each treatment, both in the short term and the long term? • How will this treatment afect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise and perform my usual activities? • Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do? • Who will be coordinating my overall treatment and follow-up care? • What follow-up tests will I need, and how ofen will I need them? • What support services are available to me and to my family? Have there been any recent advances in treatment that are particularly encouraging? Over the past 10 years, many minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery, are now being liberally applied to treat this disease, allowing us to inter- vene much earlier than before and aid in recovery. Tere are also a lot of exciting advancements taking place in the areas of cancer-fghting chemotherapy agents, targeted radiation therapy, genomics and gene therapy. CANCER JOURNEY Esophageal Cancer Anatomy Cancer cells Lower esophageal sphincter Stomach Esophagus

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Cancer Fighters Thrive - SUMMER 2015