In life, esophageal cancer brings great challenges to many patients and their families. Understanding the knowledge of esophageal cancer, actively cooperating with treatment and self-management are very important for improving the quality of life and overcoming the disease. 1. Understanding esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor occurring in esophageal epithelial tissue. The causes of morbidity are complex, which may be related to the following factors: 1. Bad eating habits: eating too hot and coarse food for a long time, drinking a lot of liquor, and eating pickled and moldy food may increase the risk of morbidity of esophageal cancer. 2. Smoking and drinking: Smoking and excessive drinking can cause irritation and damage to the esophageal mucosa and increase the risk of cancer. 3. Genetic factors: People with esophageal cancer in their families have a relatively high risk of morbidity. 4. Environmental factors: Long-term exposure to certain chemicals and radioactive substances may also be related to the occurrence of esophageal cancer. The main symptoms of esophageal cancer include: progressive dysphagia, that is, difficulty in swallowing solid food at the beginning, which gradually develops into difficulty in swallowing semi-liquid and liquid food; pain or discomfort behind the sternum, often accompanied by burning or pulling sensation; food reflux, especially after eating or when lying flat; weight loss, fatigue and other systemic symptoms. 2. Diagnosis and treatment 1. Diagnostic methods • Endoscopy: It is an important means for the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. It can directly observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa and biopsy to make a definite pathological diagnosis. • Imaging examination, such as esophagography, CT, MRI, etc., can be used to understand the size, location, extent of invasion and metastasis of the tumor. • Other tests, such as blood tests, can help determine the patient’s physical condition and the progress of the tumor. 2. Treatment • Surgical treatment: It is one of the main treatment methods for esophageal cancer, which is suitable for patients in the early and middle stages. The purpose of the operation is to remove the tumor and surrounding tissues and reconstruct the continuity of the esophagus. • Radiotherapy: High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells, which can be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, etc. • Chemotherapy: Inhibition of the growth and spread of cancer cells through the use of anticancer drugs. Chemotherapy can be used for preoperative tumor shrinkage, postoperative adjuvant therapy and palliative treatment of advanced patients. • Comprehensive treatment: For patients with advanced esophageal cancer, a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other methods is often used to improve the therapeutic effect. 3. Self-management during treatment 1. Dietary management • Choose digestible and nutritious foods, such as rice porridge, noodles, steamed eggs, fish, etc. Avoid eating spicy, greasy and stimulating food. • Eat your food slowly and avoid eating too quickly and swallowing too much. The way of eating less and more meals can be used to increase the number of meals and reduce the amount of food eaten each time. • Do not lie flat immediately after eating, but move properly or keep sitting for a period of time to prevent food reflux. • Depending on the treatment, it may be necessary to adjust the diet under the guidance of a doctor, such as nasal feeding diet or gastrointestinal fistula diet. 2. Oral care • Keep your mouth clean, brush your teeth twice a day and rinse your mouth after meals. Use a soft toothbrush to avoid damaging the oral mucosa. • If you have oral ulcer, pain, etc., you can use oral care solution or medication under the guidance of a doctor. 3. Psychological adjustment • In the face of disease, patients may have anxiety, fear, depression and other negative emotions. We should actively adjust our mentality and build up confidence in overcoming the disease. • You can communicate with your family and friends, share your feelings and seek psychological support. They can also participate in some patient mutual aid organizations to exchange experiences with other patients and encourage each other. Carry out some relaxing activities, such as listening to music, walking, yoga, etc., to relieve psychological pressure. 4. Precautions during rehabilitation 1. Regular review • After treatment, regular review should be carried out according to the doctor’s requirements, including endoscopy, imaging examination, blood examination, etc., so as to detect the recurrence or metastasis of tumors in time. • Seek medical advice in case of discomfort, such as increased dysphagia, chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, etc. 2. Lifestyle adjustment • Maintain good living habits, quit smoking and limit alcohol, and avoid staying up late. • Take proper physical exercise to enhance physical fitness, but avoid overwork. • Pay attention to food hygiene and avoid eating unclean food and drinking raw water. Although esophageal cancer is a serious disease, as long as patients actively cooperate with the treatment and do a good job of self-management, there is hope to overcome the disease and restore health. I hope that every esophageal cancer patient can face the disease bravely, strengthen confidence, and with the help of doctors and family members, go to the road of recovery.
Elderly esophageal cancer
