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Jun 17, 2013 · Condemned serial murderer Richard Ramirez, known as the “Night Stalker” to the Californians he terrorized in the 1980s, died of cancer, according to coroner’s findings released Monday.
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Nov 10, 2020 · Updated June 1, 2022. More than 16,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year. Roughly 75% of those will be men. So, what esophageal cancer symptoms should you watch for? How is esophageal cancer diagnosed, and what treatments are available?
- Overview
- What are the early signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer?
- What are the end stage (stage IV) signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer?
- Are there treatments to ease the end stage symptoms of esophageal cancer?
- Is it painful to die of esophageal cancer?
- Steps you can take to ease end-of-life discomfort
- Takeaway
When esophageal cancer has progressed to its end stage, the focus of care is on symptom relief and quality of life. Though each person’s journey is unique, there are some common threads that most people experience when cancer treatment is no longer viable.
The signs of dying from esophageal cancer include greater difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), as well as symptoms common to other types of cancers, such as:
•fatigue
•onset of pain
•breathing troubles
•swings in mood and awareness
Early on, esophageal cancer usually has no obvious signs and symptoms. When they do appear, the most common symptom is dysphagia.
Eating regular, bite-sized portions may make you feel like you’re choking or that something is stuck in your throat. Trying smaller bites and softer food, as well as consuming plenty of liquids, can help for a while.
Other early signs and symptoms can include:
•unexplained weight loss
•chest pain, burning, or pressure
•heartburn or indigestion
Esophageal symptoms tend to worsen as the disease progresses and the cancer metastasizes. Dysphagia, for example, may reach a point when a liquid-only diet is necessary.
Other end stage signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer can include:
•worsening cough and sore throat
•labored breathing
•greater hoarseness and difficulty speaking above a whisper
•hiccups
Esophageal dilation
If swallowing is becoming too difficult, esophageal dilation may be an option. In this procedure, a doctor extends a small, balloon-like cylinder down into the esophagus to gently stretch the tissue and widen the opening for food and liquids to pass. Another similar procedure involves the placement of a stent in the esophagus to keep it open.
Laser ablation
Doctors may also use a laser beam aimed at the cancerous tissue that is narrowing the esophagus. The beam destroys the tissue, improving swallowing and digestion.
Feeding tube
If procedures to widen the esophagus aren’t reasonable or welcome options, a doctor may be able to insert a feeding tube. A feeding tube supplies nutrients either directly into a blood vessel or into the stomach or small intestine. This is done to prevent malnutrition and extend life expectancy. Though they’re more common in a hospital or hospice setting, some feeding tubes can be used at home. A palliative care nurse can provide instructions for use.
If a person is given medications to control physical pain and is provided fluids and nutrients through a tube to bypass swallowing problems, then the end of life with esophageal cancer doesn’t have to be a painful or scary experience.
But because the medications used to treat pain are often quite strong, an individual may be sleepy much of the time or experience confusion.
These responses are exacerbated by the slowing down of the body’s functions. For example, the heart rate slows, meaning less oxygenated blood reaches the brain. A person may slip in and out of consciousness and have trouble remembering or focusing.
Changes in bodily functions also lead to shallower breathing and a loss of bladder and bowel control.
There are some steps family members and healthcare providers can take to ease discomfort during end-of-life stages:
•Ice chips. Because swallowing is difficult, giving a person a small piece of ice or a sip of fluid will keep their mouth moist.
•Lip balm. Lip balm will help keep lips from becoming sore and cracked.
•Warm blankets. Reduced circulation can make limbs feel cold, so having warm blankets available can make the person more comfortable.
The signs of dying from esophageal cancer are much like those experienced by people with other types of cancer. There’s usually pain that can be reduced with powerful medications, as well as general weakening of the body and a slowing down of all bodily functions.
Symptoms specific to esophageal cancer, such as difficulty swallowing, worsen toward the end, so a feeding tube may be necessary.
Though physical pain can often be controlled, the emotional and spiritual challenges experienced by an individual with cancer and their friends and family members are sometimes more difficult to manage.
Focus on offering support and taking steps to ensure their physical comfort. And don’t hesitate to talk with a palliative care provider for their advice and recommendations.
- James Roland
Jun 14, 2023 · Esophageal cancer is a rare cancer that can develop in the tissues of your esophagus. There are no standard early screening tests for people at low risk, but certain symptoms could indicate...
- Jacquelyn Cafasso
There are two main types of oesophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma – this develops in the thin, flat cells of the mucosa, which lines the oesophagus. adenocarcinoma – this develops from glandular cells and is often linked with Barrett’s oesophagus. Cancer can develop anywhere in the oesophagus.
NHS England does provide statistics for 4 year survival for people with stage 4 oesophageal cancer. 5 out of 100 people (5%) with stage 4 oesophageal cancer will survive their cancer for 4 years or more after they are diagnosed. Where this information comes from.
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What is oesophageal cancer? Symptoms. Causes. Tests and next steps. Treatment. Help and support. Find out about oesophageal cancer, including the symptoms, causes, tests and treatments.
