What is the early detection method for esophageal cancer

If you suspect you have esophageal cancer, what tests should you do? Esophageal cancer refers to a malignant lesion formed by abnormal proliferation of esophageal squamous epithelium or glandular epithelium. Its development generally goes through stages such as epithelial atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive cancer. Atypical hyperplasia of esophageal squamous epithelium is an important precancerous lesion of esophageal cancer. It usually takes several years or even more than ten years from atypical hyperplasia to cancer. The examination methods for esophageal cancer are as follows;

1. X-ray barium meal

According to the clinical diagnosis results, this method cannot clearly detect the symptoms of the disease. It requires an experienced doctor to fully adjust the barium and ask the patient to swallow it in small sips several times. Careful observation from multiple angles will reveal symptoms such as thickening, tortuosity, or dotted line interruptions in the patient's esophageal mucosa.

2. Esophageal CT scan

Among the methods for diagnosing esophageal cancer, CT scanning has gradually become a common way to diagnose the disease in recent years. Through CT scanning, the close relationship between the esophagus and the surrounding organs can be clearly shown; combined with cell exfoliation and X-ray barium meal examination, the morphology, location and size of the patient's tissue can also be observed.

3. Esophageal mucosal exfoliative cytology

Clinically, patients usually choose this method as a method for diagnosing esophageal cancer. This is because this method is relatively simple, the patient is less painful, and the probability of false positives is also low, and the accuracy rate is high, so it is more popular with patients. This method can also be used in censuses, and the diagnosis rate is extremely high.