Hi Susan - I'm sorry to hear of your loss, and appreciate that you'd like to learn more about your husband's cancer.
Nearly every organ of the digestive system is susceptible to developing cancer. The types of digestive cancers include colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, throat cancer and tongue cancer.
Esophageal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the esophagus, the tube that transports food from the throat to the stomach.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma arises from glandular cells that are present at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.
Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in this case esophageal cells) divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms, called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not invade or spread.
The cause of esophageal cancer is unknown. The known risk factors include:
* Age: 60 or older
* Sex: male
* Smoking or smokeless tobacco use (such as chewing tobacco or snuff)
* Alcohol use
* History of gastroesophageal reflux , especially if this has caused Barrett's esophagus
* Achalasia (chronic dilation of the esophagus)
* Infection with Helicobacter pylori (causes stomach ulcers )
* Certain rare genetic conditions such as Plummer Vinson syndrome and tylosis
* Damaged esophagus from toxic substances, such as lye
* History of cancer of the head and/or neck
* Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor is defined as follows by the National Cancer Institute: The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor. Also called epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB1, and HER1.
Comment Reply
Hi Susan - I'm sorry to hear of your loss, and appreciate that you'd like to learn more about your husband's cancer.
Nearly every organ of the digestive system is susceptible to developing cancer. The types of digestive cancers include colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, throat cancer and tongue cancer.
Esophageal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the esophagus, the tube that transports food from the throat to the stomach.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma arises from glandular cells that are present at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.
Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in this case esophageal cells) divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms, called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not invade or spread.
The cause of esophageal cancer is unknown. The known risk factors include:
* Age: 60 or older
* Sex: male
* Smoking or smokeless tobacco use (such as chewing tobacco or snuff)
* Alcohol use
* History of gastroesophageal reflux , especially if this has caused Barrett's esophagus
* Achalasia (chronic dilation of the esophagus)
* Infection with Helicobacter pylori (causes stomach ulcers )
* Certain rare genetic conditions such as Plummer Vinson syndrome and tylosis
* Damaged esophagus from toxic substances, such as lye
* History of cancer of the head and/or neck
* Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor is defined as follows by the National Cancer Institute: The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor. Also called epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB1, and HER1.
You can find additional information here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermal_growth_factor_receptor
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-epidermalgrowthfactor.html
An article published by the National Institutes of Health addressed why dioxin is harmful and may answer some of your questions. It can be found here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10667131
This is a lot to absorb, so you may have more questions. Please feel free to write back and we would be happy to assist you and do more research.
Take good care,
December 11, 2009 - 6:52pmPat
This Comment
Reply