Description and Prevalence Esophagus is part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system located in the upper body, posterior to the trachea (Huether and McCance, 2012). The esophagus consists of four layers (from outermost to innermost layer): adventitia, musculairis propria, submucosa and mucosa. The submucosa and the mucosa layers are very important because they are the common sites for cancer development. The submucosa layer contains gland cells that produce mucus for lubrication and aiding the passage of foods through the esophagus to the stomach. The mucosa layer consists of squamous cells that made up the innermost epithelium lining of the esophagus (Smith and Shinohara, 2015). Esophageal cancers are often related to the mutations in gland
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Normally, the sphincter and the esophagus can neutralize the acids and push them back to the stomach; but with a dysfunction LES, the esophagus would be exposed to these stomach acids for a long period of time, leading to the damage and inflammations of the squamous lining of the mucosa layer (Huether and McCance, 2012). When the esophagus is recovering from the acid damage, new squamous cells should be form. But in about 10% of the case, squamous cells are replaced by columnar-shaped cells in the healing process, forming a condition call Barrett’s esophagus (Hardikar et al., 2013). In even smaller percents (about 10%) of people with Barrett’s esophagus would progress into esophageal adenocarcinoma. Certain populations are identified to have a higher risk of transforming a Barrett’s esophagus condition into cancer, which they are male sex, white people, smokers and people who are older (Hardikar et al., …show more content…
Esophageal cancers can be asymptomatic at its early stage and when it starts to show symptoms, the cancer is usually in its advance stage. Commonly, symptoms of esophageal cancers include dysphagia, chest pain, weight loss and hoarseness, etc. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). The size of the tumor usually causes dysphagia because the tumor physically blocks the passage of the esophagus (Huether and McCance, 2012). However, most people who developed Barrett’s esophagus are suggested to be monitor periodically, because Barrett’s esophagus is one of the risk factors of developing esophageal adenocarinoma (Schneider and Corley,
Normally, the sphincter and the esophagus can neutralize the acids and push them back to the stomach; but with a dysfunction LES, the esophagus would be exposed to these stomach acids for a long period of time, leading to the damage and inflammations of the squamous lining of the mucosa layer (Huether and McCance, 2012). When the esophagus is recovering from the acid damage, new squamous cells should be form. But in about 10% of the case, squamous cells are replaced by columnar-shaped cells in the healing process, forming a condition call Barrett’s esophagus (Hardikar et al., 2013). In even smaller percents (about 10%) of people with Barrett’s esophagus would progress into esophageal adenocarcinoma. Certain populations are identified to have a higher risk of transforming a Barrett’s esophagus condition into cancer, which they are male sex, white people, smokers and people who are older (Hardikar et al., …show more content…
Esophageal cancers can be asymptomatic at its early stage and when it starts to show symptoms, the cancer is usually in its advance stage. Commonly, symptoms of esophageal cancers include dysphagia, chest pain, weight loss and hoarseness, etc. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). The size of the tumor usually causes dysphagia because the tumor physically blocks the passage of the esophagus (Huether and McCance, 2012). However, most people who developed Barrett’s esophagus are suggested to be monitor periodically, because Barrett’s esophagus is one of the risk factors of developing esophageal adenocarinoma (Schneider and Corley,