Mr. Liu is 43 years old this year, in the prime of life, with a bumper career and family, but recently, he always feels that his throat is itchy, as if something is stuck there, not up or down, very uncomfortable.
He thought to himself: "Maybe it's because I've been socializing too much cigarettes and alcohol lately, and I've had chronic pharyngitis again." So, he grabbed a few throat lozenges and didn't take it too seriously.
But as the days passed, the itching in his throat not only did not reduce, but became heavier and heavier, and even sometimes it was a little difficult to swallow, and now, Mr. Liu began to panic a little and hurriedly went to the hospital.
After some questioning and examination, the doctor frowned and suggested that he have a digestive endoscopy, and when the results came out, it turned out that it was advanced esophageal cancer.
He couldn't figure it out, it was just a little itchy in his throat, how could it become esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer and chronic pharyngitis, although the symptoms are similar, the fate is very different, some people are just a small discomfort in the throat, while some people are targeted by esophageal cancer? What's the secret behind this?
01
Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor that is detected late, according to statistics, the early diagnosis rate of esophageal cancer in mainland China is less than 10%, and the overall five-year survival rate of patients is less than 20%, while the five-year survival rate of early patients can reach more than 95%.
In stark contrast, the five-year survival rate of patients with intermediate and advanced stages is no more than 15%, so early diagnosis and early treatment of esophageal cancer is particularly important.
How can we distinguish between esophageal cancer and chronic pharyngitis, two common but similar diseases?
Chronic pharyngitis is characterized by discomfort such as itching, dryness, and burning of the throat, and symptoms are exacerbated by sudden changes in climate, inhalation of cold air, or excessive use of the vocal cords.
In contrast, the early stage of esophageal cancer is more likely to present with a dry, tight feeling in the pharynx, accompanied by a feeling of pressure or fullness behind the sternum.
Although foreign body sensation can be caused in both disorders, the foreign body sensation is more pronounced at rest in patients with chronic pharyngitis and lessens when eating.
Patients with esophageal cancer have a more pronounced foreign body sensation when eating, which may be accompanied by food retention.
The early symptoms of esophageal cancer are not obvious and are easy to be ignored, and once the symptoms are significant, the disease has often entered the middle and advanced stages.
Once the following early symptoms appear, it is important to get screened as soon as possible:
1. Foreign body sensation in the esophagus
About 15% to 21% of people with esophageal cancer feel as if food is sticking to the wall of the esophagus when eating, making it difficult to swallow or spit out, which is a typical early sign of esophageal disease.
2. Eating solid food has a feeling of choking
Patients may experience a choking sensation after swallowing solid foods, which occurs infrequently and usually disappears quickly, and can be easily overlooked or mistaken for pharyngitis.
3. Symptoms of epigastric discomfort
If you often experience discomfort such as pain in your upper abdomen, acid reflux or belching, these may also be early warning signs of esophageal cancer.
4. Retrosternal pain and discomfort
People with esophageal cancer may experience pain in the retrosternal area when they are not eating, especially after eating hot food.
02
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there were 600,000 newly diagnosed esophageal cancer cases worldwide in 2020, more than half of which occurred in China.
This high incidence is closely related to geography, genetics, and especially dietary habits.
The high incidence of esophageal cancer in some parts of China, such as Hebei, Henan, and Chaoshan in Guangdong, is related to local dietary habits, especially the frequent consumption of spicy, pickled, overheated and coarse foods.
To prevent esophageal cancer, the following foods should be avoided as much as possible:
1. Too hot food
Regular consumption of excessively hot food can damage the esophageal mucosa, which may lead to esophageal cancer in the long run.
2. Pickle food
Long-term consumption of preserved foods, such as nitrites and nitrates in sausages and salted fish, may increase the risk of cancer.
3. Rough food
Eating too hard or too coarse food can cause physical damage to the esophageal mucosa, worsen mucosal inflammation, and increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
4. Tobacco and alcohol
Smoking and frequent alcohol consumption significantly increase the risk of esophageal cancer, as well as many other cancers.
03
Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer is essential to improve cure rates, and while early symptoms may be less noticeable, there are subtle signs that should not be overlooked.
For example, if you experience a choking sensation when eating or persistent chest discomfort, you should see your doctor immediately for further testing.
According to the 2022 edition of the "Recommendations for Screening and Prevention of Common Malignant Tumors in Residents" by the Shanghai Anti-Cancer Association and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Fudan University, it is best for people at high risk of esophageal cancer to undergo general endoscopy every two years.
Repeat examinations are recommended annually if endoscopy results show mild dysplasia and semi-annual if moderate dysplasia is shown.
Prevention of esophageal cancer should start with lifestyle changes, especially dietary habits.
It is advisable to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and eat less or avoid barbecue and high-fat foods, which may produce carcinogens during high-temperature cooking.
In addition, avoiding the habit of eating while squatting is also a simple and effective way to reduce the burden on the esophagus and reduce the risk of esophageal pathology.
Preventing esophageal cancer is not difficult, as long as we start from the dinner table and stay away from unhealthy foods and lifestyle habits, we can greatly reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Let's take action together to protect the health of ourselves and our families.