The politician said that the case is complex and that treatment with chemotherapy may not be possible; According to one expert, the disease is usually asymptomatic at first, which makes early diagnosis difficult.
The former president of Uruguay, José “Pepe” Mujica88 years old, announced this Monday, 29 years old, that he has a cancer in the esophagus. The announcement came after an inspection carried out last Friday. According to him “the organ is very compromised”.
Speaking to reporters, Mujica said he felt well, but highlighted the added complexity of his case due to an autoimmune disease diagnosed more than two decades ago. This condition, which he did not specify, has impacted several aspects of his health and, therefore, treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery may prove difficult.
“I want to convey to girls and boys that life is beautiful, but worn out. The point is to start over every time you fall and, when there is anger, transform it into hope. No one saves themselves,” she declared the former Uruguayan president.
What is esophageal cancer?
According to Renata D’Alpino, oncologist and specialist in gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine tumors at Oncoclínicas São Paulo, esophageal cancer occurs when cells in the inner lining of the esophagus (the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach) begin to increase uncontrollably. However, the disease can spread, invading other layers of the organ or even other surrounding organs.
Globally, the neoplasm is among the eighth most common and the most frequent type is adenocarcinoma, followed by squamous cell carcinoma. According to Renata, it is possible that other types of cancer also appear in the esophagus. “Lymphomas, melanomas and sarcomas can appear in the region, but it is worth remembering that they are quite rare,” she said in a statement.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: The inner layer of the esophagus (mucosa) is lined with squamous cells. Cancer that starts in these cells is called squamous cell carcinoma. It can occur anywhere along the esophagus, but is most common in the neck region (cervical esophagus) and the upper two-thirds of the chest cavity (upper and middle thoracic esophagus).
- Adenocarcinoma: Tumors that start in gland cells (cells that produce mucus) are called adenocarcinomas. They are often found in the lower third of the esophagus (lower thoracic esophagus).
Symptoms
Regarding the signs of the disease, the oncologist explains that, in the vast majority of cases, esophageal cancer is asymptomatic in the early stages, which can make early diagnosis difficult.
When symptoms appear, you may notice difficulty swallowing, making it feel like food is stuck in your throat. Another common sign is chest pain, as if pressure or burning, as well as weight loss without apparent cause, which can reduce the patient’s body weight by up to 10% or more.
Other possible symptoms of esophageal cancer may include:
- Hoarseness
- Persistent cough
- Vomit
- Digestive hemorrhage
How is prevention going?
As a form of prevention it is essential to avoid some habits that can increase the risk of developing the disease, such as:
- Drinking drinks that are too hot (at or above 65ºC)
- Inhalation of construction dust, fuel vapors, among others
- Consume alcoholic beverages
- Exposure to environments with ionizing radiation (X-rays and gamma rays)
“Fortunately, esophageal cancer can be prevented, but it is important that the general population leaves aside some habits. Maintaining a balanced diet, not smoking, practicing physical activity regularly and not drinking alcoholic or hot drinks, such as tea, chimarrão, there are among other things, alternatives to overcome the problem”, underlined the doctor.
It is also worth remembering that vaccination against HPV is essential to prevent the onset of the disease. In addition to esophageal cancer, immunization against the virus can also help prevent other types of cancers, such as those of the cervix, anus, mouth, etc.
How the diagnosis is made
Your doctor may order an upper digestive endoscopy (EDA) with biopsy and then, after confirming the disease, imaging tests to analyze how far the cancer has spread. The most common are:
- Endoscopy
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Bronchoscopy
- Thoracoscopy and laparoscopy
- Computed tomography (CT)
- PET-CT
How is the treatment?
Based on the diagnosis, the oncologist will indicate the best treatment for esophageal cancer, which may vary between surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy (alone or combined). It is worth remembering that when esophageal cancer has spread to other organs, treatment involves chemotherapy and, in some cases, immunotherapy.
“Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend a combination of treatments, such as chemotherapy, which can be associated with radiotherapy before surgery. The goal, in this case, is to eliminate unobserved tumor cells and also to reduce the size of the tumor”, said Renata.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
