Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Cancer of the oesophagus

See your GP if you have any of the symptoms of cancer of the oesophagus. They will probably examine you, before referring you to hospital for further tests if they think it is necessary.

A cancer specialist at hospital will also examine you, as well as taking a medical history. You may to have a blood test and chest X-ray to check your general health. Other tests are usually needed as well to check for cancer. The most commonly used tests are:

• Barium swallow: This is an X-ray of the oesophagus. So that the oesophagus shows up on the X-ray, you have to drink a white, chalky liquid called a barium meal beforehand. The barium sulphate doesn’t allow X-rays to pass through it, so it shows up any blockages in the gullet. A barium swallow takes about 15 minutes to carry out.
• Endoscopy: This is test to look at the inside of the oesophagus. A long, thin, bendy tube with a camera on the end is passed down your throat and into the oesophagus. This allows the doctor to look closely at the oesophagus, and also remove a small sample (biopsy) of cells to look at under a microscope if necessary.
  
  Endoscopy can be a bit uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t hurt. The doctor can give a mild sedative or spray some anaesthetic on the back of your throat beforehand. Some people have a sore throat afterwards, but this doesn’t usually last more than a couple of days.

If cancer is detected, you might need a computerised tomography scan (CT scan) or an ultrasound scan to see if the cancer has spread to any other parts of the body.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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