Oesophageal cancer-improved survival

[Posted: Tue 22/04/2008 by Niall Hunter, Editor www.irishhealth.com]

People with oesophageal cancer often put up with serious symptoms for over a year before seeking help, according to a new report.

The report, from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry at Queen's University, Belfast, compared care for patients diagnosed with cancers of the oesophagus and stomach in 1996, 2001 and 2005.

The most common symptom of oesophageal cancer is having difficulty swallowing.

According to the report, there are now improved survival rates for oesophageal cancer patients who are selected for surgery.

Dr Anna Gavin, of the North's Cancer Registry, said this reflected enhanced use of sopohisticated diagnostic facilities which have allowed doctors working in expert teams to select those patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery.

Patients who underwent surgery for this type of cancer in 2005 had a 79% survival rate one year later.

She said anyone experiencing difficulty swallowing should contact their doctor and have the condition assessed, as early diagnosis of any cancer improves survival rates.

Ireland has one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in the world.

For more information on oesophageal cancer, see...http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=1269