|
Diagnosis
If you have a symptom that suggests esophageal
cancer, your doctor must find out whether it's really
due to cancer or to some other cause. The doctor gives
you a physical exam and asks about your personal and
family health history. You may have blood tests. You
also may have:
- Barium swallow: After you drink a barium solution,
you have x-rays taken of your esophagus and
stomach. The barium solution makes your
esophagus show up more clearly on the x-rays. This
test is also called an upper GI series.
- Endoscopy: The doctor uses a thin, lighted tube
(endoscope) to look down your esophagus. The
doctor first numbs your throat with an anesthetic
spray, and you may also receive medicine to help
you relax. The tube is passed through your mouth or
nose to the esophagus. The doctor may also call this
procedure upper endoscopy, EGD, or
esophagoscopy.
- Biopsy: Usually, cancer begins in the inner layer of
the esophagus. The doctor uses an endoscope to
remove tissue from the esophagus. A pathologist
checks the tissue under a microscope for cancer
cells. A biopsy is the only sure way to know if
cancer cells are present.
You may want to ask the doctor these questions before having a biopsy:
- Where will the procedure take place? Will I have to go to the hospital?
- How long will it take? Will I be awake?
- Will it hurt? Will I get an anesthetic?
- What are the risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding afterward?
- How do I prepare for the procedure?
- How long will it take me to recover?
- How soon will I know the results? Will I get a copy of the pathology report?
- If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about the next steps? When?
|
< Previous Section | Next Section > |
