What is esophageal cancer? Esophagus is also known as food pipe that connects the pharynx with the stomach and allows the passage of food from the pharynx to the stomach by peristaltic movement.
What is esophageal cancer?
Esophagus is also known as food pipe that connects the pharynx with the stomach and allows the passage of food from the pharynx to the stomach by peristaltic movement.
Cancer that arises from the esophagus is known as esophageal cancer. Incidence of esophageal cancer is high and varies with geographical location. It is the 8th most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the 6th most common cause of cancer-associated death worldwide.
What are the symptoms of cancer esophagus?
Esophageal cancer produces late symptoms or signs till the time cancer is in advanced stage. Symptoms or signs may include:
- Dysphagia or Difficulty in swallowing
- Odynophagia or Painful swallowing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Food regurgitation
- Heartburn
- Changes in voice due to nerve involvement
- Cough
- Aspiration of food
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Pain in upper abdomen
- Hematemesis
- Jaundice
- Upper airway obstruction due to compression
- Dyspnea or difficulty in breathing
- Ascites
- Pleural effusion
- Metastasis to distant sites.
What are the uses of PET scan in esophageal cancer?
Alterations in growth and metabolism is demonstrated by cancerous cells. PET scan is used for the evaluation of metabolic and biochemical properties of tissues or organ. Your health care professional may order a PET scan for the following indications in esophageal cancer:
- Cancer staging: PET scan may be used for staging of esophageal cancer pre-operatively.
- Determination of extent of disease: PET scan combined with CT or MRI can be used to determine the extent of cancer.
- Detection of metastases: PET scan plays an important role in identification and localization of metastases. It enhances tissue differentiation at lower radiation dose to the patient.
- To monitor efficacy of treatment.
- To evaluate the prognosis of cancer patients.
- To check for Cancer recurrence post treatment.
How do I prepare for PET scan in esophageal cancer?
Follow these steps if you are going for a PET scan:
- Get an appointment: Schedule your appointment in a diagnostic center having the facility of PET scan as it is available in limited centers. This saves your time too by avoiding waiting at the time of scan.
- Fasting: 6-7 hours fasting is required for PET scan.
- Smoking and tobacco: On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances causes vasoconstriction and may alter the test results.
- Caffeine: For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products.
- Clothing: Dress yourself in clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
- Medications: Certain drugs may alter test results. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfeed your baby so that your doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio.
- Allergy: Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
- Implants: Inform your doctor about any implant in your body such as cardiac implant, inner ear implants, metallic dentures, neurostimulators or any type of hearing aids etc.
- Exercise: Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24-hours prior to your test.
- Claustrophobia and anxiety: If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
- Medical reports: Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical reports along with you while going for PET scan. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition.
- Take a company: Get accompanied by a friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home.
What is the procedure for PET scan in esophageal cancer?
The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:
- Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
- You will be then asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
- You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellery, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets, keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips, belts, goggles etc.
- An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent usually FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
- You will be then asked to sit quietly for about an hour to allow the radioactive agent to get distributed to your body tissues and organs via bloodstream. The radiotracer agent gets accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as cancerous tissues.
- If PET-CT is being scheduled then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.
- You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
- If you have Claustrophobia or anxiety disorder, then you may be given sedatives or some other alternatives to make you feel comfortable during the scan.
- Before scan, your assisting Doctor will explain about all the possible adverse effects of using radiopharmaceutical or contrast material such as itching, rash, swelling etc. Your KFT report will be required to rule out any kidney disease/pathology and to check your GFR.
- Then you will be asked to lie supine on the examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
- You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
- Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpreted for making a definite diagnosis.
What happens after PET scan?
Once the imaging is over you may be allowed to exit the scanner room and asked to wait in the observation room for some time, to check for any possible side effect of radioactive or contrast agent being used. You should drink water to clear out the radiotracer or contrast agent from your body.
Cost of PET scan in Delhi?
Price of PET scan generally varies with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of machines they provide and the offers currently availing in them. PET scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.
PET scan test is an advanced diagnostic and monitoring tool that is available at limited diagnostic centers as it requires costly and modern equipments and skilled Radiologists to perform the scan.
To choose the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Delhi.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.
Various PET scan prices at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC)are as following:
- Whole Body PET Scan
Rs 23900- Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- FDG-PET Scan
Rs23900-Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- F-18 Choline PET Scan
Rs37000-Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
- Brain PET Scan
Rs23900- Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- Dopa Brain PET Scan
Rs37000- Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
- PET Viability Scan Cardiac
Rs27000-Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
- PSMA PET Scan For Prostate
Rs35000- Rs 17500 BOOK NOW
- Cardiac PET Scan
Rs27000-Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
For more details, click here!
Best diagnostic center for PET scan?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi. We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Derawal Nagar and Mangol puri.
We are having the facility of different types of PET scan including:
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center is a NABH and NABL accredited top diagnostic center situated in ROHINI and various other locations of Delhi. It is equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.
Currently, we are offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan. We are open 24X7 and 365 days. You can also get free online or offline Consultation with our Senior Radiologist, Dr. Ravin Sharma regarding any imaging and scanning test.
We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR. We are also empanelled with various departments and organizations. So, you can get the services at panel rate too.
For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!
Hurry! Grab the best deals now!
We are also empanelled with different departments including:
- DAK
- CGHS NHA
- ECHS
- NDMC
- DELHI JAL BOARD
- RAILWAYS
- NDMC
- DGEHS
- BSES YAMUNA / RAJDHANI POWER LTD
- TATA POWER LTD
- BABA SAHEB AMBEDKAR HOSPITAL
- BJRM HOSPITAL
- BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
To know more details about our empanellment with different organisations. CLICK HERE!
FAQs Related to Esophageal cancer & PET scan:
Time taken during PET scan for esophageal cancer?
The whole procedure of PET scan takes approximately 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. However, the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes.
However, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.
How much time it takes for PET scan report?
You will get reports on the next day. However, you can get the image films on the same day if required by your doctor.
Risks/Side effects of PET scan in esophageal cancer?
PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radioactive agent is very low and it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can flush the radiotracer faster from your body.
However, some risks/side effects about PET scan are as following:
- Allergic reactions to the radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
- Diabetic patients have low levels of insulin (help in transport of glucose across cells). Insulin deficiency may lead to low absorption of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) which may alter test results. So, inform your doctor before test.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your doctor before undergoing PET scan.
How is screening done for esophageal cancer?
Screening test is used to check for esophageal cancer when there is absence of signs or symptoms of esophageal cancer. It is usually advised for patients with Barrett esophagus to undergo regular screening using endoscopic examination. It helps in detection of early signs of cancer and determine the need for further testing if reports are abnormal.
However, diagnostic tests are recommended when there is presence of signs or symptoms of esophageal cancer or if the screening test is found to be suspicious or abnormal.
How is esophageal cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis of esophageal cancer is done using multiple tests that includes:
- Barium swallow or barium meal
- Endoscopy
- Biopsy.
To know the extent of cancer spread additional tests are performed such as:
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- MRI
- CT scan
- PET scan.
What are the types of esophageal cancer?
There are 2 main types of esophageal cancer namely:
Squamous cell carcinoma: It arises from the epithelial cells lining the esophagus. This sub-type of esophageal cancer is more common in developing countries.
Adenocarcinoma: It arises from the glandular cells in setting of Barrett esophagus (Intestinal type metaplasia). This sub-type of esophageal cancer is more common in developed countries.
What are the risk factors for Squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus?
There are several risk factors for the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus such as:
- Cigarette smoking
- Tobacco chewing
- Areca or betel nut chewing
- Alcohol intake
- Consumption of hot drinks over 65 oC
- Poor oral hygiene
- Male sex
- Age >60 years
- Lack of fresh food in diet
- Food containing nitrosamines
- Smokey meats
- High consumption of processed foods
- Pickled vegetables
- Low socio-economic status.
What are the risk factors for Adenocarcinoma of esophagus?
Risk factors for the development of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus includes:
- GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease)
- DGER (Duodenogastric reflux) or bile reflux
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Male sex
- Age>60 years
- Obesity
- Tobacco smoking.
What is the prognosis of esophageal cancer?
Prognosis of esophageal cancer is not good as it is detected mostly at an advanced stage. Prognosis may depend upon certain factors such as:
- Stage of tumor
- Extent of invasion
- Presence of Co-morbid conditions
- Metastasis.
What is the survival rate of esophageal cancer?
The 5-year survival rate of esophageal cancer depending upon the extent of invasion or metastasis are as following:
- 80% if involves only esophageal mucosa.
- 50% if sub-mucosa is involved.
- 20% if cancer extended upto muscularis propria.
- 7% if spread to the adjacent areas.
- < 3% in case of distant metastasis.
How do esophageal cancer is prevented?
Prevention of esophageal cancer includes some lifestyle and dietary modifications such as:
- Cessation of smoking
- Stop chewing tobacco
- Intake of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.
- Diet rich in green and yellow vegetables
- Consumption of fruits
- Foods rich in dietary fiber
- Stop chewing areca or betel nut
- Body weight management
- Proper treatment of GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease).
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