3 types of routine examinations for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system with a high incidence rate in my country. To avoid its harm, early examination, early detection and early treatment should be carried out. The examinations required for the diagnosis of esophageal cancer generally depend on the patient's condition. The following are several common examinations.

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a good method for diagnosing esophageal cancer, especially in the early stages of esophageal cancer. Gastroscopy is clear and can perform a comprehensive three-dimensional examination of all parts of the esophagus and stomach from multiple angles under direct vision. It can also directly photograph and record the lesions, magnify them dozens or even hundreds of times, and carefully distinguish them. Then, sample tissues are taken and sent to pathologists for confirmation, thus completing the diagnosis of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal barium meal examination

Barium meal examination can observe the peristalsis of the esophagus, the relaxation of the esophageal wall, changes in the esophageal mucosa, esophageal filling defects and the degree of obstruction. Peristalsis cessation or reverse peristalsis of the esophagus, local stiffness of the esophageal wall that cannot fully expand, disorder, interruption and destruction of the esophageal mucosa, stenosis of the esophageal lumen, irregular filling defects, ulcer or fistula formation and axial abnormalities of the esophagus are all important signs of esophageal cancer. Hypotonic double contrast is more effective than conventional contrast for the detection of early esophageal cancer.

CT of the esophagus

CT examination can clearly show the relationship between the esophagus and the adjacent mediastinal organs. The normal esophagus has a clear boundary with the adjacent organs and the thickness of the esophagus is normal. If the thickness of the esophageal wall increases and the boundary with the surrounding organs is blurred, it means that there is an esophageal lesion. CT examination can also fully show the size of esophageal cancer lesions, the scope and degree of tumor invasion. At the same time, CT examination results can also help determine the surgical method and formulate radiotherapy plans.

Tips: In 1981, Moss proposed the CT staging of esophageal cancer:

Stage I: The tumor is confined to the esophageal cavity, and the esophageal wall thickness is ≤5 mm;

Stage II: esophageal wall >5mm;

Stage III: Thickening of the esophageal wall and extension of the tumor to adjacent organs, such as the trachea, bronchi, aorta, or atrium;

Stage IV: The tumor has distant metastasis.