Chest enhanced CT scan of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a relatively common disease and also a disease with a relatively high mortality rate. Generally speaking, if a CT scan shows that you may have esophageal cancer, you will also need to do an esophageal cancer chest enhanced CT scan to confirm the condition. There are many treatments for esophageal cancer, and you can choose the specific treatment method according to your condition. The following is a detailed introduction to the treatment of esophageal cancer.

1. Surgical treatment

Surgery is the preferred treatment for esophageal cancer. If the patient is in good general condition, has good cardiopulmonary reserve, and has no obvious signs of distant metastasis, surgical treatment may be considered. Generally, the chances of resection are greater if the length of cervical cancer is less than 3 cm, the length of upper thoracic cancer is less than 4 cm, and the length of lower thoracic cancer is less than 5 cm. However, there are also cases where the tumor is not too large but is tightly adhered to major organs such as the aorta and trachea and cannot be removed. For larger squamous cell carcinomas that are unlikely to be resected but the patient is in good general condition, preoperative radiotherapy can be used first, and surgery can be performed after the tumor has shrunk.

Contraindications for surgery: ① Poor general condition and cachexia. Or those with severe heart, lung, liver or kidney dysfunction. ② The lesion has invaded a large area and has obvious signs of external invasion and perforation, such as hoarseness or esophageal tracheal fistula. ③Those with distant metastasis.

2. Radiotherapy

①Combined treatment of radiation and surgery can increase the surgical resection rate and improve the long-term survival rate. After preoperative radiotherapy, it is more appropriate to rest for 3 to 4 weeks before surgery. Metal markings are made on the residual cancerous tissue that was not completely removed during surgery, and postoperative radiotherapy usually begins 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. ② Radiotherapy alone is mostly used for cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer. The surgery for these patients is often difficult, with many complications and unsatisfactory results. It can also be used for patients with contraindications to surgery but whose lesions have not lasted long and who can still tolerate radiotherapy.

3. Chemotherapy

Combining chemotherapy with surgery or with radiotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine can sometimes improve the efficacy of treatment, relieve symptoms and prolong the survival of patients with esophageal cancer. However, you should check your blood count and liver and kidney function regularly, and pay attention to drug reactions.