Kanker Esofagus: A Literature Review

Abstract

As a malignancy with one of the highest fatality rate, esophageal cancer requires specific attention. The two etiologies of esophageal cancer which are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma often does not show any specific symptoms in the early stage of the disease. However, as the disease progresses, patients can feel some clinical manifestations such as progressive dysphagia and unintentional weight loss. The process of establishing the diagnosis of esophageal cancer is carried out with a series of physical examinations and followed by endoscopy as the gold standard. However, due to the lack of specificity of the initial symptoms, diagnosis often only made when the cancer is already in an advanced stage which causes the cancer prognosis to be worse with a survival rate in 5 years of only around 20,9% and might cause some complications such as esophageal perforations, retropharyngeal abscesses, airway obstruction, and many other complications. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose as early as possible through routine physical examinations to increase life expectancy and the effectiveness of the therapy. This literature review aims to further discuss the importance of establishing the diagnosis of esophageal cancer and the development of diagnostic instruments and means by searching the literature from various sources.