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Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Cancer of the Esophagus Introduction
The esophagus is a muscular tube measuring 20-25 cm (8-10 in) long and 2-3 cm (0.75-1.25 in) wide that serves as a conduit for moving food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. Two major types of esophageal cancers exist, as follows:
- Squamous cell carcinoma arises from the epithelial cells that line the esophagus.
- Adenocarcinoma arises from the esophageal glands or within a segment of Barrett's esophagus.
- Most tumors occur in the lower esophagus.
- Forty percent occur in the lowest third.
- Forty-five percent occur in the middle third.
- Fifteen percent occur in the upper third.
Risk Factors
Both types of esophageal cancer more commonly affect men older than 60 years, but risk factors for adenocarcinoma are different from those of squamous cell c...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape
Preoperative Testing »
Medical consultants are generally asked to assess preoperative risk in most patients who are to undergo surgery.
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