Esophageal adenocarcinoma, or cancer of the lower esophagus, has risen by 450% in the U.S. since the 1970s. The risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma increases with obesity, smoking, and awful nutrition. Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition that causes stomach acid to be regurgitated back into the esophagus, can also be a factor in the development of some cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma. GERD can lead to Barrett’s Esophagus (BE), a condition where cells of the tissue lining the lower esophagus transform from normal squamous cell tissue into columnar epithelial cells, similar to cells typically found in the lower intestine, in a process called metaplasia. BE is considered to be a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Although having BE means an increased risk of lower esophageal cancer, only about one percent of BE patients actually execute esophageal adenocarcinoma, and only a diminutive percentage of people with GERD develop BE. Still, getting GERD under control early on is an significant step in cancer prevention.
The esophagus is the muscular tube where food passes from the mouth to the stomach. At the lower end, the esophageal sphincter opens to allow food to pass into the stomach, and then closes again. If the esophageal sphincter malfunctions, due to a weakness in nerve or muscle, the esophagus will not close completely. In the case of GERD, stomach acid backs up through the malfunctioning esophageal sphincter, into the esophagus, a condition known as acid reflux. Chronic GERD can lead to BE, because the esophageal lining is not designed to tolerate stomach acid. BE develops over time, in response to damage from stomach acid.
Being overweight and smoking are two of the most significant risk factors for both GERD and BE. Alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and diet, are also important factors. Risk of GERD and BE increases with age, although BE can affect people of all ages. Medications, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can cause peptic ulcers, and long term users are twice as likely to develop GERD. Other drugs may play a role as well. Whites and Hispanics are at greater risk than blacks and Asians, and men are at greater risk for BE than women.
Heartburn and acid reflux are symptoms of GERD. More serious symptoms requiring immediate evaluation by a doctor include difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, bloody stools, and unintentional weight loss. BE has no noticeable symptoms. A doctor can diagnose BE by examining throat tissue for changes in color.
Having GERD does not indicate a predisposal to cancer, but managing GERD can prevent BE, a pre-malignant condition. Incidence of adenocarcinoma in BE patients is higher than in the general population, and once cells have undergone metaplasia, they cannot be transformed befriend into normal squamous cells. Specific lifestyle changes can benefit to chop occurrences of acid reflux, and therefore sever the risk of developing BE. A physician may recommend weight loss, quitting smoking, avoiding foods that trigger heartburn, and taking antacids or other medications to block heartburn. Some GERD patients sleep with the upper body in an elevated position, in order to prevent reflux during sleep. A diagnosis of severe GERD or BE usually calls for aggressive treatment, including medications, non-surgical procedures, or in some cases surgery.
According to the Mayo Clinic, gastroesophageal reflux can be traced to about one third of esophageal cancers. Therefore, it is important to control GERD before it becomes BE. Common sense measures that promote good health in general are effective in controlling GERD, and preventing BE. We hear it over and over, but once again won’t pain. Following a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, getting regular exercise, controlling weight, not smoking, and taking an active role in your occupy health maintenance will go a long way in preventing serious complications like BE, and a whole lot of others too.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts/index.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/esophageal-cancer/DS00500
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Filed under Mesothelioma Treatment by on Feb 1st, 2012. 
This disease is regarded as one of the most severe types as it has claimed thousands of lives in the United States alone every year. Although frightening, this should be enough of a cause to keep yourself alert when it comes to indications of stomach cancer symptoms. It’s the second most common type, trailing closely behind the lung variety.
Most symptoms actually bear strong resemblance to those of a hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer. This can start out with stomach wretchedness that are only aggravated by food, along with heartburn, indigestion, and nausea. Of course, at this point, most of these symptoms are easily dismissed and can sometimes be momentarily remedied by an antacid. The only bad thing about this is that this sort of reaction only leads to delaying a routine check up, and can leave the tumor to wreak havoc.
A loss of appetite or feeling pudgy even after a small meal can also be placed under stomach cancer symptoms. Along with this can come upper abdominal pains, weight loss, and the genuine bloating of the stomach after meals. In more extreme cases, vomiting blood or blood being found in the feces can also occur. This isn’t usually the rich red colored unusual blood, but dark blood. If left unattended over a certain period of time, this could lead to anemia.
Although some of these symptoms can also be symptoms of a stomach virus or gastric ulcer, if you have even the slightest feeling that it could be cancerous, then go to your doctor. This will require an examination both from a gastroenterologist and an oncologist.
The risk of acquiring these stomach cancer symptoms becomes significantly higher when things like age begin to factor in. This disease is more accepted amongst people close to the age of sixty. Gender can also come into play as men are more likely to form it than women. A diet that primarily consists of salty food prepared by smoking or curing is also something to take note off. Smoking can also trigger it since every time you inhale, you end up swallowing a small amount of tobacco smoke
There are ten times more cases in Japan and the United States. Unlike other countries, the number of cases in the United States during the period declined. The exact cause of stomach cancer has escaped from researchers. But they have found risk factors that increase your chances of developing this disease. Research has shown that diets rich in salt and nitrates, can increase the likelihood of developing stomach cancer. There are a limited number of cases among native Japanese who moved to the United States and adopted the American diet, compared with those who had stayed in Japan and to continue with the Japanese diet. There are a number of cases among people who work as miners or construction of wood, nickel and rubber. People exposed to H. pylori developed gastric lymphoma.
At the time, these different symptoms can occur in cancer metastasis to other organs such as the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, liver, exiguous intestine and colon. Unfortunately, it takes eight to ninety percent of patients with stomach cancer.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Feb 3rd, 2012.
On January 13, 2010 it was reported that “Dexter” star Michael C. Hall has been in treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Many people have become fans of Hall through his work on the highly current Showtime series where he plays the role of a serial killer who is employed as a blood splatter expert. Michael C. Hall also played David Fisher on the HBO series “Six Feet Under” several years ago. The good news for Hall, his family, and his fans is that the disease is currently in remission but people may be wondering what is Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, lymph vessels, spleen, tonsils, and the thymus. Lymphatic tissue is also found throughout various areas of the body, which means that the cancer can begin in a variety of areas in the body. An abnormal cell called The Reed-Sternberg cell begins to divide, and the current abnormal cells can prevent the body from being able to fight infections as well as form tumors.
Symptoms of the disease include swollen lymph nodes, unexplainable weight loss, persistent fever, fatigue, night sweats, swollen glands after alcohol consumption, and skin that is very itchy. The symptoms usually last for awhile or do not subside. Because most of these symptoms are often associated with other conditions, people should consult a physician for a proper diagnosis.
A vast deal of progress has been made in developing effective treatment for people diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the recovery rate is relatively high for this type of cancer. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can be treated through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the two. People who have a relapse of the disease after it has been in remission will be treated again with radiation and/or chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation.
With early diagnosis and treatment, the average five-year survival rate for people with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was over 80%. For more statistics and facts for Hodgkin Lymphoma, click here.
Sources:
Dexter’s Michael C. Hall Has Cancer, People Magazine
National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Feb 4th, 2012.