Treatment of Esophageal Cancer: Function, Classes, and Complications
In the fight against esophageal cancer, radiation therapy plays a significant role. This treatment method, however, may come with its own set of side effects that patients should be aware of.
One common short-term side effect is radiation esophagitis, which causes painful and difficult swallowing, chest discomfort, nausea, and weight loss. These symptoms typically emerge during or shortly after treatment and can significantly impact nutrition and quality of life [1][3][4].
Other common short-term effects include fatigue and skin changes, such as dryness and irritation. A sore throat is also a common occurrence post-treatment [6].
Long-term effects may involve esophageal strictures (narrowing of the esophagus causing chronic swallowing difficulties), pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring), cardiotoxicity, and chronic dysphagia (persistent swallowing problems) [1]. In cases where immunotherapy is combined with radiotherapy, there can be prolonged immune-related side effects such as endocrine dysfunction (e.g., hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency) and persistent pneumonitis [1].
Managing these late toxicities requires ongoing follow-up and supportive care. Nutrition support, symptom management, and long-term monitoring are critical to improving patient outcomes [1].
External-beam radiation therapy is often used to treat esophageal cancer, where a machine focuses radiation on the affected area. Internal radiation therapy, on the other hand, involves a doctor placing a radioactive agent next to cancerous cells using an endoscope [7].
A typical radiation therapy session lasts about 10-15 minutes each, and treatments usually occur daily. In some cases, a feeding tube may be necessary after radiation therapy due to difficulty swallowing [8].
It's important to note that radiation therapy does not make a person radioactive or harmful to others [2].
Doctors may recommend a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, known as chemoradiation, to treat certain types of esophageal cancer. The esophagus typically takes several weeks to heal after radiation therapy [9].
Radiation therapy is often used for treating esophageal cancer when surgery is not an option or when the cancer cannot be surgically removed. Avoiding alcohol and quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of cancer returning after treatment [10].
People may need to have regular checkups with their doctor after completing radiation therapy to monitor for any potential long-term effects [11].
In summary, while radiation therapy is an effective tool in the treatment of esophageal cancer, it's essential for patients to be informed about the potential side effects and the importance of follow-up care. By understanding these aspects, patients can make informed decisions and work closely with their healthcare providers to manage any challenges that may arise during and after treatment.
References: [1] Aapro, M., & Sause, W. (2019). Radiotherapy in the management of esophageal cancer. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 16(12), 739-752. [2] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Radiation Therapy and Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy [3] Chakravarty, D., et al. (2018). Radiation Therapy in the Management of Esophageal Cancer: Current Status and Future Directions. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(26), 2955-2964. [4] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2016). Esophageal cancer: diagnosis and management. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg83 [5] National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2021). NCCN Guidelines: Esophageal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/esophageal.pdf [6] American Cancer Society. (2021). Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophageal-cancer/treating/radiation-therapy.html [7] American Cancer Society. (2021). Internal Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophageal-cancer/treating/internal-radiation-therapy.html [8] American Cancer Society. (2021). Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophageal-cancer/treating/side-effects/radiation-therapy.html [9] American Cancer Society. (2021). Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophageal-cancer/treating/chemotherapy-and-radiation-therapy.html [10] American Cancer Society. (2021). After Treatment - Esophageal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophageal-cancer/during-treatment/after-treatment.html [11] American Cancer Society. (2021). Follow-up Care - Esophageal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophageal-cancer/during-treatment/after-treatment/follow-up-care.html
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