Treatment for esophageal cancer focuses on shrinking or stopping the tumor from growing. The type of treatment your doctor recommends depends on the stage of your cancer.
To stage your cancer, doctors look at factors such as how far the cancer has grown and whether it has spread. Doctors also assign a tumor grade.
Cancer starts in the cells of tissue that lines the esophagus, which is the tube that goes from the throat to the stomach. Most esophageal cancers start in the tissues that line the upper and middle parts of the esophagus, but they can also form in the tissues that make up the lower part of the esophagus. The two types of esophageal cancer that most often occur are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
The esophagus is a foot-long, hollow, muscular tube that carries swallowed food and liquids from the throat to the stomach. When you eat, the muscles in your throat contract to open the esophagus so that food can pass through to your stomach for digestion. Cancer that forms in the lining of the esophagus can interfere with the normal process of swallowing and cause difficulty eating.
Esophageal cancer can also spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs and the liver. When this happens, it is called metastatic esophageal cancer.
Doctors use a variety of treatments to treat esophageal cancer, but they cannot always cure the disease or prevent it from returning. They may remove the tumor and surgically remove the surrounding tissue, or they may use radiation therapy to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. They might also give patients medications, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, to help control the growth of cancer cells and ease symptoms.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is the most common symptom of esophageal cancer. As the tumor grows, it may begin to block the esophagus opening and lead to complications, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing blood.
If you have esophageal cancer, your doctor will perform tests to check for the condition and to see how far the cancer has grown. These include a physical exam, an X-ray of the chest and an endoscopy to examine the inside of your esophagus. Your doctor may order a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and decide on your treatment plan. A biopsy involves inserting a thin needle into your esophagus to obtain a small sample of tissue for testing.
Cancer that begins in the esophagus, a long, muscular tube that carries swallowed food from the throat to the stomach, often causes difficulty or pain when it grows into an obstructive mass within the esophagus. Swallowing problems (dysphagia) typically develop first and get worse as the tumor grows. People may start to change their eating habits, taking smaller bites or switching to a liquid diet. The pain that accompanies swallowing can lead to weight loss, because it prevents people from eating enough to maintain their weight.
Cancer cells that spread to the lymph nodes or other organs within the body can cause different symptoms. For example, a tumor that spreads to the lungs may cause chest pain or shortness of breath, while cancer that spreads to the liver can cause abdominal pain or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes). Cancer that spreads to the bones can cause spinal pain or a feeling that your arms and legs are weak (bone pain).
Some people who have esophageal cancer do not experience any signs or symptoms. Others have only mild or moderate symptoms. This is why it is important to talk to your doctor if you have any new or unusual symptoms or signs. Your doctor can help determine whether or not they are caused by esophageal cancer or another health problem.
People who smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol are at greater risk for developing esophageal cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. But even people who do not smoke or drink heavily can develop esophageal cancer. This type of cancer usually occurs in the lower esophageal sphincter, which opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent backwash of digestive acids. Chronic esophageal irritation due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) also increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
Early detection is the key to successful treatment of esophageal cancer. If the cancer is in the early stages, when it is still confined to the lining of the esophagus, surgery or other treatments may be able to cure it. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may help control the disease and relieve symptoms.
Cancer that begins in the cells of the esophagus may be hard to detect. It is often discovered when people see their doctor for trouble swallowing (dysphagia). Some doctors recommend that these patients try to eat softer foods or take smaller bites, and some ask them to keep track of the frequency and severity of their dysphagia.
To test for esophageal cancer, healthcare providers use imaging tests and other diagnostic procedures to look inside the body for signs of cancer. They can also collect samples of tissue to view under a microscope to help determine if you have cancer. This process is called biopsy.
Some types of esophageal cancer grow quickly and may spread to other parts of the body before they can be diagnosed. To find out if your esophageal cancer has spread, your healthcare provider will use imaging tests and other diagnostic procedures to examine your whole body, including the lymph nodes and other areas. Healthcare providers also determine a tumor’s grade, which describes how fast the cancer is growing and whether it has spread.
Doctors can collect a sample of tissue for testing from your esophagus with a special scope passed down through the throat into your esophagus (endoscope). A small piece of tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory to check for cancer cells.
A biopsy can reveal that you have a precancerous condition, such as Barrett’s esophagus, that may develop into esophageal cancer if it is not treated. Doctors also collect information about your health, lifestyle and family medical history. This helps them identify risk factors that increase the chances of developing esophageal cancer, such as being a smoker, drinking alcohol to excess and being overweight or obese.
Several different types of treatment can be used for esophageal cancer, depending on its type and the stage. The goal is to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. Doctors may combine surgery with radiation or chemotherapy, or give patients drugs that boost the immune system to help fight the cancer. They may also give patients a drug that blocks certain proteins that cancer cells need to grow.
Your care team will recommend treatments based on the type and stage of cancer. Treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Your care team may also recommend targeted therapies and immunotherapy. These treatments target the cancer cells and stop them from growing or spreading. Your care team will discuss the best options for you and answer your questions.
If esophageal cancer is in the early stages, doctors can often remove it surgically. They can also remove nearby lymph nodes to test them for cancer cells.
For a diagnosis, doctors use a thin, flexible tube with a camera and surgical tools on the tip (endoscope). Doctors pass this down your throat into your esophagus to examine the tissue for signs of cancer. They can also take a sample of the tissue for testing (biopsy).
Most patients with esophageal cancer in stages I and II can be treated with surgery, chemo, or both. Some people with esophageal cancer in the later stages can be treated with radiation, alone or in combination with chemo.
All stage 0 and 1 esophageal cancers can usually be removed with surgery. Some stage 2 esophageal cancers may be able to be removed with surgery, as long as the tumor hasn’t spread into the main muscle layer of the esophagus or to nearby organs and tissues.
If the tumor has grown into these tissues or is in the aorta or spine, it can’t be removed with surgery. Most people with esophageal cancer that has spread to these areas can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation, alone or in combination.
People with advanced esophageal cancer are more likely to have trouble eating and swallowing. They might need nutritional supplements or a feeding tube. They may also need other types of medical treatment to control any symptoms that occur.
After you’ve finished the recommended treatment, your care team will check for signs of cancer returning. If your esophageal cancer comes back, it’s called recurrent cancer. You might have a lower chance of survival if your esophageal cancer recurs. You can help prevent recurrent esophageal cancer by staying healthy and getting regular screenings.
People with esophageal cancer often have pain in the middle of the chest. This may be the first symptom of the disease.
Symptoms are changes in the body that show something is wrong. Signs are changes that can be measured, like blood pressure or lab tests. Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body causes different symptoms.
Swallowing is a normal part of eating, but some people with esophageal cancer have trouble swallowing food or liquids. This can be very uncomfortable and often makes a person feel like they are choked or that something is stuck in their throat. The difficulty can be caused by a tumor in the esophagus (dysphagia), or by other conditions, such as achalasia, a condition in which the muscles in the esophagus don’t relax properly, causing them to block food and liquids from entering the stomach; scleroderma, a chronic skin disease in which scar tissue forms on the esophagus; or Plummer-Vinson syndrome, a disorder that occurs when webs of mucosal tissue form across the opening of the esophagus.
Many people with esophageal cancer develop trouble swallowing as the tumor grows and starts to narrow the opening inside the esophagus. This can lead to problems with eating and drinking, which can cause weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, and weakness. Some people with esophageal cancer also have pain when they swallow. This is called odynophagia, and it can be very painful. Swallowing can also cause food or liquid to enter the airway, which can introduce bacteria that can cause pneumonia, a serious illness.
Swallowing problems can happen at any stage of esophageal cancer, but they usually start after the tumor has spread into the mucosa layer or thin muscle layer of the esophagus wall. The symptoms can get worse over time. Eventually, the cancer may spread into other parts of the body.
People often don’t know they have esophageal cancer until the tumor becomes big enough to interfere with eating and swallowing. The first sign is pain when swallowing, which can feel like food stuck in the throat or chest (dysphagia). This symptom may be mild to start but gets worse as the tumor grows and narrows the opening inside the esophagus. It can lead to choking and difficulty swallowing liquid, especially in more advanced cases of esophageal cancer.
Another symptom of esophageal cancer is trouble breathing, which can be caused by a tumor that presses against the windpipe. A person may also have a cough that won’t go away or that happens when they try to eat or drink. They may spit up thick mucus or saliva that seems like it’s stuck in the throat. They may cough up blood or have blood in their poop, though this isn’t common.
These symptoms can be caused by other conditions, such as the common cold, a sore throat, a persistent cough, acid reflux or heartburn, or some types of infections like yeast (Candida) infection. That’s why it is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially painful swallowing.
If the cancer hasn’t spread outside of the esophagus, surgery and chemotherapy can usually cure it. Sometimes radiation therapy can be used instead of surgery when the tumor is in a very early stage. It can also be used in combination with these treatments to help reduce side effects and improve outcomes. If a person can’t have surgery because of the location of the tumor or the stage of the cancer, the treatment focuses on palliative care to relieve discomfort and make it easier to eat and drink. This includes a feeding tube into the stomach and treatment with drugs to prevent infection.
In some cases, esophageal cancer can grow to the point that it restricts or blocks the esophagus’ passage of food. This can cause a loss of appetite (anorexia) and weight loss. It may also lead to problems swallowing. The person may change their eating habits, such as taking smaller bites or avoiding solid foods. In some cases, this symptom is the first sign of cancer in the esophagus.
The esophagus is a tube-like structure that runs from the throat to the stomach. It is made of mucous membrane and muscle, with several layers. Esophageal cancer develops in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus. It can spread to the other layers of the esophagus and to other parts of the body.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell cancer usually forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the esophagus. This type of cancer is more likely to develop in the upper and middle esophagus and may be linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Adenocarcinoma can form anywhere in the lining of the esophagus and is less common. It is more often seen in people over 50 and is linked to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Some people with esophageal cancer experience little or no symptoms at all. This is because the cancer may be small and has not yet grown to a size that causes symptoms. In these cases, the cancer is often found by accident when a doctor performs tests for other medical problems. Usually, when a person begins to have symptoms, the cancer has advanced and is harder to treat.
The esophagus is a tube-like structure that runs from your throat to your stomach. It carries swallowed food and liquid from your mouth to the digestive tract. Most cases of esophageal cancer occur in the cells that line the tissue that covers the esophagus. Tumors in these tissues often grow to partially block the esophageal tube, making it difficult to pass food through the tube.
When this happens, you may feel a pain or tightness in your chest. The sensation may be accompanied by difficulty swallowing and a feeling that food is stuck in your throat. It is important to have any chest pain evaluated by your doctor, especially if it persists for more than a few minutes.
In addition to evaluating your symptoms, your doctor will review your medical history and do a physical exam. Your doctor may also order X-rays or blood tests to check for a possible tumor.
If the cancer is in its early stages and hasn’t spread to other parts of your body, surgery may be an option. Your doctor will remove the tumor from your esophagus with an endoscope or through small incisions. They will also remove any lymph nodes near the esophagus that may be affected. They will then rebuild the esophagus using tissue from your stomach or large intestine.
Most esophageal cancers aren’t found until they have reached advanced stages, when they become harder to treat. However, cancers that have spread to other parts of your body can also cause a variety of symptoms. The most common ones are fatigue, weight loss and difficulty eating. Some cancers can even lead to anemia, a condition that causes low red blood cell levels.
Hoarseness, the loss of normal clarity in your voice, can be caused by many different things. Inflammation from a common upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu, causes temporary laryngitis, an irritation of your vocal cords that improves as the illness goes away. Infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or tonsillitis may also cause temporary hoarseness, as well as irritants like alcohol and smoking that can directly irritate your vocal cords.
A condition called GERD, or heartburn, can make your stomach acid rise to the level of your throat and irritate your vocal cords. In fact, if the acid is severe enough to reach your vocal folds, it can cause permanent damage known as laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR). Other causes of hoarseness include neurological diseases and disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease or a stroke that affect the part of your brain that controls muscles in your larynx.
If your hoarseness persists for more than three weeks, contact your otolaryngologist at Houston Ear, Nose and Throat. Your otolaryngologist can determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. You should also seek immediate medical attention if your hoarseness is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, a lump in your neck, chest pain or coughing up blood. Hoarseness that results from speaking loudly or straining your voice may be a sign of a dangerous rupture of the blood vessels in your vocal folds, which is called a vocal cord hemorrhage and requires emergency care.
To diagnose esophageal cancer, doctors use tests to find out where the tumor is and how big it is. They also check whether it has spread.
The test used for diagnosis can vary from patient to patient. These may include a physical exam and health history. Tests can also include an x-ray or chest CT scan.
The diagnosis of esophageal cancer is based on signs and symptoms, medical history, and a physical exam. Your doctor may also recommend chest X-rays, an imaging test that shows the organs and tissues of your upper body including your esophagus. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is another diagnostic test that measures electrical activity of your heart.
A biopsy is a procedure where doctors remove a small sample of tissue from your esophagus and check it for cancerous cells. This test can be done either with a flexible tube called an endoscope, or with a needle inserted through your throat.
X-rays, CT scans, an ultrasound and an MRI are other tests that can help your doctor get a better view of the esophagus and surrounding structures. A computed tomography angiography (CT angio) scan can also show if the cancer has spread from your esophagus to other parts of your body.
If your esophageal cancer is in its early stages, your doctor will be able to remove it completely with surgery. The most common type of surgery is an esophagectomy, which removes the esophagus and sometimes nearby lymph nodes. It can be performed in different ways depending on the stage of the cancer and your health. For example, your surgeon might remove only part of the esophagus or might create a passageway for food by attaching it to a section of the stomach or large intestine.
You may need other treatments in addition to surgery, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Your doctor will use your cancer staging to help select which treatment is best for you.
Cancer staging uses Roman numerals to indicate the extent of the cancer. In stage 0, the cancer is very small and only affects the layer of cells lining the esophagus. In stage II, the cancer has reached the muscle layer of the esophagus and possibly 1 to 2 nearby lymph nodes. In stage III, the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
If you have a recurrence of esophageal cancer, your doctor will suggest new treatments such as immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiofrequency ablation or cryotherapy. It’s important to talk with your doctors about your treatment options and possible side effects. This kind of discussion is called shared decision-making.
If your esophageal cancer is found at an early stage and is small, you may have a good chance of survival. However, if the tumor is large or has spread to other parts of the body, your chances for recovery are lower.
The stage of your esophageal cancer is important because it determines your treatment options. Your healthcare provider will use a combination of factors to stage your cancer, including the location and size of the tumor, whether it has spread to nearby tissues or organs, and how fast the cancer cells are growing. These factors are used to assign a tumor grade, which tells your doctor whether the cancer cells look more like healthy cells or more like aggressive cancer cells.
Surgery: In some cases, surgeons remove all or part of the esophagus. This is called esophagectomy. We offer a range of surgical options, including minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic esophagectomy and robotic esophagectomy.
Radiation therapy: We use radiation to kill cancer cells that remain after surgery or other treatments. We have several different types of radiation therapy, including external beam radiation, brachytherapy and image-guided radiation (IGRT). At City of Hope, we also offer helical tomotherapy, which uses advanced imaging to deliver a higher dose of radiation to the tumor with less exposure to surrounding tissue and organs.
Chemotherapy: We use a variety of anti-cancer drugs to treat esophageal cancer. We have access to many standard chemotherapy drugs as well as newer, more effective drug combinations through our extensive clinical trial program.
Targeted therapy: This type of treatment uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells. Examples of targeted therapy include monoclonal antibodies and a type of chemotherapy called capecitabine with oxaliplatin.
Liquid biopsy: A liquid biopsy test — such as Guardant360 CDx, FoundationOne Liquid CDx and Tempus XF — can look for a cancer gene in the bloodstream. If your esophageal cancer has an abnormal gene, it may be able to be treated with medications that target the gene.
If the esophageal cancer has spread to other parts of the body, palliative care can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. We provide compassionate and comprehensive care, from medical and nutritional support to pain management.
Many people with esophageal cancer don’t have any symptoms until the cancer is in an advanced stage. When it does start, symptoms are usually trouble swallowing or a feeling that food is stuck in the throat (dysphagia). Over time, the tumor may make the esophagus narrower, leading to pain when eating and choking. Other symptoms include a dry cough, weight loss and blood in the stool.
Doctors use different tests to diagnose esophageal cancer. They may perform a physical exam and ask about past illnesses and treatments. They will also check for lumps and other signs of disease. A person may have a chest x-ray, an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and other diagnostic tests. A biopsy is a test in which doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the area that appears suspicious and send it to a lab for testing. Doctors can also test cancer cells in a sample of saliva or blood.
The most common type of esophageal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the squamous cells that line your esophagus. This type of cancer usually affects the upper and middle parts of your esophagus. Another type of esophageal cancer, adenocarcinoma, begins in the cells that line the lower part of your esophagus. This cancer usually affects men more than women.
If the cancer has spread, doctors use chemotherapy and other medicines to treat the rest of the body. These medications enter the bloodstream and reach cancer cells throughout the body. They may also use radiation to kill the remaining cancer cells and shrink any tumors.
Some people with esophageal cancer get better after surgery and other treatments. However, for most people, the cancer won’t go away. If the cancer comes back, it will continue to grow and may spread to other parts of the body.
People who have a higher risk of esophageal cancer can help reduce the chance that it will develop by taking care to avoid certain habits. They should also talk to their doctor about any problems with swallowing or changes in their eating habits.
Unlike most cancers, which typically cause symptoms such as coughing or bleeding when they begin, tumors in the esophagus (the long tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach) often do not produce any symptoms until they grow large enough to interfere with swallowing. This makes it difficult to detect early and, therefore, reduces the likelihood that a treatment can succeed. Fortunately, medical researchers are hard at work on treatments that can help prevent esophageal cancer.
Smoking and excessive alcohol use are major risk factors for esophageal cancer. These factors increase your chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus by about three times, and are even more potent when combined. Similarly, people who have Barrett’s esophagus are much more likely to develop esophageal cancer. Although it is not clear whether or how to prevent Barrett’s esophagus, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol will significantly decrease your chances of getting esophageal cancer.
A high-protein diet can also reduce the likelihood of esophageal cancer. Research shows that eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, particularly those containing cruciferous compounds, such as broccoli and cauliflower, can decrease your chances of esophageal cancer by decreasing your body’s production of certain hormones that promote cancer growth.
Other cancer prevention strategies include practicing safer sex and using birth control to avoid sexually transmitted infections such as human papillomavirus, which is associated with the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the throat. Vaccines against the types of HPV that are most closely linked to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck are also available and may decrease your risk of getting this type of cancer.
In addition, multiple genetic studies have found that some variants in genes and loci are associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. For example, a mutation in the vitamin D receptor gene increases the susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
However, most esophageal cancers are not caused by these genetic changes. As a result, healthcare providers focus on preventing esophageal cancer by educating the public about reducing risk factors, and promoting and supporting screening and early detection for this challenging disease.
Adenocarcinoma happens when glandular cells in a certain part of your body start to grow out of control. They can harm healthy cells and spread to other parts of the body. This type of cancer can develop in your colon, breasts, esophagus, pancreas or lungs. It is one of the main subtypes of carcinoma.
The most common way to diagnose adenocarcinoma is with a biopsy. Your doctor will remove a small sample of the tumor and examine it under a microscope to determine if it’s cancerous. A CT scan or MRI can also help with diagnosis. These tests provide detailed images of your organs and can help doctors see if there are any abnormal masses or areas that might indicate adenocarcinoma.
A chemo or radiation therapy may also be used to treat adenocarcinoma. These treatments kill cancerous cells and can make the tumors smaller. Your doctor will recommend the best option based on the location of your cancer and how it has spread.
Another important factor to consider is the grade of your adenocarcinoma. This relates to how abnormal the cancer looks under a microscope and how fast it usually grows. Well-differentiated adenocarcinomas are lower in grade and usually grow slower than poorly differentiated ones.
If you have adenocarcinoma in your esophagus, the five-year relative survival rate is 22.9 percent. However, these numbers are based on averages and do not reflect the outlook for individual patients.
Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus can be difficult to treat. It is important to be proactive with your health and seek regular screenings. You should always tell your doctor about any new or unusual symptoms that you are experiencing. It can also be helpful to bring a family member or friend with you to appointments to act as your second set of ears. They can help you absorb the information and ask questions that you might forget to mention. This can help ensure that your healthcare provider is able to fully explain all of your options and answer any questions you might have. This is especially important if you are nervous about receiving a new diagnosis or treatment.
Over 1 million people are diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) each year in the U.S. Most (95% to 98%) of these cancers can be cured when they’re found and treated early. Symptoms of this type of cancer might include a rough-feeling bump or growth that crusts over like a scab and bleeds easily. Sometimes the growth is higher than the surrounding skin with a depression or dip in the middle. Another symptom is a sore that won’t heal or keeps coming back.
SCC often occurs in areas of sun-damaged skin such as the head, neck, bald scalp, shins, and extensor forearms. It may develop from precancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses or squamous cell dysplasia.
The diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma is usually made with a needle biopsy. We remove a small sample of the tumor and send it to our lab to test for cancer cells.
Most squamous cell carcinomas can be treated with surgery alone, but radiation therapy or chemotherapy might also be needed for larger or more advanced cancers. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells and shrink the size of the tumor. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with radiation and/or surgery for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck or to treat metastatic SCC that has spread to other parts of the body.
A person with squamous cell carcinoma might experience a recurrence, or return, of the cancer after treatment. For this reason, lifelong monitoring by a health care provider is important.
Survival rates are not useful for predicting an individual’s chance of survival with cancer because they are based on statistics from large groups of patients. However, they can help doctors decide which treatments might be most effective for a particular patient. They can also be helpful for encouraging patients to seek medical care when symptoms occur.
Sarcomas are cancers that start in the connective tissues of your body, which include fat, muscle, nerves, tendons and blood or lymph vessels. Soft tissue sarcomas grow quickly and can spread to other parts of the body. They may cause a lump or swelling, and sometimes can press on nerves or organs, causing pain or other problems. These cancers are rare and do not always show symptoms, but if they cause symptoms, it is important to see your doctor. These tumors are more likely to affect children, teens and young adults. They may also be more common in people who have certain medical conditions or have had radiation therapy or other treatments.
Your doctor will examine you and ask about your past health. Then they will do a biopsy of the lump or mass to confirm the diagnosis. During the biopsy, your healthcare provider will remove part or all of the tumor. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a microscope to find out what type of sarcoma it is and how fast it is likely to grow or spread. This information helps your doctor decide on the best treatment for you.
Depending on your specific situation, your care team may recommend surgery, chemotherapy or other treatments. You will need regular checkups to see if the cancer has come back (recurred) and to watch for any side effects from the treatment.
When you have a sarcoma, it is important to treat it early. It isn’t clear what causes most soft tissue sarcomas, but you are more likely to get this type of cancer if you have certain medical conditions or have had radiation therapy. Also, being very overweight or having a genetic disease increases your risk of getting this cancer. You should talk to your healthcare provider about any unusual lump or bump, no matter what kind of tissue it is.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in cells called melanocytes. These cells make the pigment (color) in our skin. UV radiation from sunlight or sunbeds can damage the DNA in these cells and cause them to grow and develop into melanoma. Some types of melanoma are more dangerous than others. Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes or lungs. It can also spread to the brain, spinal cord or other organs. There are 4 main types of melanoma:
The outlook for melanoma depends on how far the cancer has spread when it is diagnosed and what stage it is at that time. The chances of survival are better for people whose melanoma has not spread than for those with advanced melanoma.
You can help your doctor diagnose melanoma by looking at your moles and noticing any that seem unusual. A mole that is changing, or evolving, in color, shape and size may be a sign of melanoma. You should check your skin regularly, especially the areas that burn easily, itch or bleed.
Your doctor will use this information to decide on a treatment plan. A biopsy is usually required to confirm a diagnosis of melanoma. A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the tumour and tested to find out if it has spread.
Other tests can be used to help doctors decide how to treat the melanoma. These can include blood chemistry studies, which look at the levels of certain chemicals in the body, and a sentinel node biopsy.
The results of these tests will help your doctor determine the stage of the melanoma, which is important when deciding on treatment. Stages of melanoma are described as localized, regional or distant. If the melanoma has only reached nearby structures, it is considered to be in the early stages of the disease. If it has spread to other parts of the body, such the lymph nodes or the lungs, it is considered in the advanced stages of the disease.