What Patients Say About Cancer Treatment at New Hope
What Is Esophageal Cancer? Understand Your Disease
The esophagus is a tube-like structure that connects the throat to the stomach, allowing food and liquid to enter the next step of digestion. Esophageal cancer commonly begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus, although it can occur anywhere along this hollow, muscular tube. As a tumor grows, it can affect the deep tissues and muscles of the esophagus. Advanced esophageal cancer can cause gradual to severe bleeding and other aggressive symptoms, which may lead to death.
Esophageal Cancers We Treat at New Hope Unlimited
The two most common types of esophageal cancer are:
Squamous cell carcinoma
This cancer begins in the flat, thin cells that form the lining of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma often develops in the top or middle section of the esophagus, but it can also arise anywhere.
Adenocarcinoma
This cancer originates in the glandular cells of the esophagus, which are accountable for the production of mucus and other fluids. Adenocarcinomas most often appear in the lower part of the esophagus.
New Hope Unlimited also treats more rare forms of esophageal cancer, including malignant melanoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, and small cell cancers.
Esophageal Cancer Symptoms
Early esophageal cancer may not cause any signs and symptoms. As cancer progresses, a patient may experience:
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing (dysphagia)
- Frequent choking while eating
- Food coming back up or vomiting
- Unintentional weight loss
- Chest pain, pressure, or burning (heartburn)
- Worsening indigestion
- Chronic coughing or hoarseness
Please see your healthcare provider immediately if you are concerned about any physical changes you experience.
Esophageal Cancer Risks Factors and Prevention
Medical experts and scientists do not know why esophageal cancer develops, but appears to have some risk factors. They include smoking, heavy alcohol use, and conditions that affect the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), for example, is a condition in which acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus. Over time, stomach acid in the esophagus can trigger changes in the cells that heighten the risk for adenocarcinoma.
In addition, men, the elderly, and those who are obese are at higher risk for esophageal cancer. Chance of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is greater in white men than women, but squamous cell carcinoma is more prevalent in Asian men and other men of color.
Health experts agree that eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and drinking may reduce the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Detection and Diagnosis
If you're at risk for esophageal cancer, your doctor will begin by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. He or she may then order X-rays, blood tests, endoscopic ultrasounds, and a biopsy to examine the esophagus further. Additional tests may include a gastroscopy and barium swallow test to help detect any cancerous changes.
Esophageal Cancer Alternative Treatments at New Hope
For more than 18 years, our holistic therapies have been helping cancer patients enter remission by ridding the body of symptoms without compromising their quality of life. Our goal has always been to rehabilitate the mind and body before cancer struck, and our team will not rest until we address the root of the disease. Click here to learn about our alternative treatment options.
Our Promise
- Advanced Cancer Treatments
- Top-Rated Physicians
- Personal Care
- Patient Satisfaction
Our Top-of-the-Line Medical Facilities
At New Hope Unlimited, we pride ourselves in providing superior comfort, cleanliness, and cancer care at our 8,000 square foot medical treatment center in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. We worked with renowned architects and contractors to create the ideal space for recovery, which includes state-of-the-art lounge areas and spacious private in-rooms that assure the comfort of our patients and their loved ones.
To make our patients feel right at home, each private ward is equipped with high-definition U.S. television, quality bedding, and high-speed internet connection. And with proper nutrition playing a vital role in cancer recovery, New Hope Unlimited also fulfills the dietary needs of each patient using fresh, organic produce to prepare breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners.
Comfort and cleanliness are also strictly implemented in our medical treatment rooms, which are equipped with the latest medical supplies and technology to provide the highest standard of care and treatment. Our medical center also has an in-house Hyperbaric Chamber, a well-established therapy for decompression sickness, exclusively available for our patients’ use.
Further, New Hope Unlimited has maintained its exceptional partnership with Hospital Migoo, a medical group comprised of certified physicians and specialists committed to our patients’ care and well-being.
FAQs
1. Is there an age limit for holistic esophageal cancer treatments?
There is no age limit for alternative treatments, mainly since the majority of cancer cases occur in older adults.
2. Can women have esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer is more common in men, but it does occur among women. In the United States, the lifetime risk of esophageal cancer is around 1 in 132 in men and around 1 in 455 in women, according to the American Cancer Society.
3. Is esophageal cancer hereditary?
This cancer does not seem to run in families and inherited DNA changes (mutations) are not believed to be a significant cause of esophageal cancer.
