Incidence of oesophageal cancer is on the increase. Due to lifestyle changes, it is the most common form of cancer after uterus and breast in women and the fourth most common cancer in men, says a release from Gem Hospital and Research Centre (P.) Ltd.
The hospital, which has completed 1,000 cancer oesophagus treatment, says that incidences of squamous cell carcinoma has been high due to tobacco consumption. Now there is a 10-fold increase in adenocarcinoma due to reflux, which is due to smoking, alcohol and fast food consumption and stress.
Acid reflux produces inflammation in the lower oesophagus and continuous inflammation causes cancer. Regular and Barret’s oesophageal cancer can be prevented by regular endoscopic screening and treatment at early stage is curable.
Open surgery using long incision was the mode of treatment of cancer in oesophagus.
This more often resulted in severe lung infection and death rate was high.
Now, minimal invasive resection of oesophagus is done and it has become the standard of care.
The release also says that the hospital’s Dr. Palanivelu has won the best operation award during the world congress held in Japan, a few years ago.
