Esophageal Cancer Prevention Los Angeles Starts with a Simple Test
Has your doctor talked to you about esophageal cancer prevention Los Angeles screening? Gastroenterologist Dr. Peyton Berookim offers his patients several minimally invasive procedures for identification, diagnosis, and removal of abnormal tissue early when treatment is most successful. Addressing pre-cancerous conditions in this way reduces the likelihood that a patient will develop cancer later. For all patients, habits, like limiting alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco use, and eating a nutritious diet, encourage the optimal health of the esophageal lining and reduce cancer risk.
Important Esophageal Cancer Statistics
Esophageal cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths. According to the National Cancer Institute, almost 18,000 new US patients will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer this year. Annual deaths from this disease nationwide are somewhere around 15,000. As with skin cancer and colon cancer, esophageal cancer is easiest to treat when it is caught early and localized. At this stage, the five-year survival rate is almost 40%. If nearby lymph nodes are involved, the five-year survival rate decreases to 20%. After the cancer spreads throughout the body, this number drops to just 3%.
What Are the Signs of Esophagus Cancer?
Patients with esophageal cancer most often experience difficulty with swallowing (dysphagia) or painful swallowing (odynophagia). They may also exhibit unexplained weight loss. Other esophageal cancer warning symptoms include chest pain, persistent cough, hoarse voice, and heartburn or acid reflux (GERD). Sometimes, this disease causes no noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
How is this condition diagnosed or ruled out? A quick screening examination can be done with a small video capsule (EsoPill) that the patient swallows. An EGD (upper endoscopy) is a more detailed procedure which can be used to collect a tissue biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. The EsoPill is administered in Dr. Berookim’s Los Angeles office while the EGD is performed either at the state-of-the-art La Peer Health Systems facility in Beverly Hills or Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. EGD patients can return home the same day since this is a quick out-patient procedure.
Early Esophageal Cancer Treatments
There is no esophageal cancer cure for late stage disease. However, there are a number of interventions that can restore health if the disease is caught before it spreads. Dr. Berookim specializes in treating patients (such as those with Barrett’s esophagus) who are just beginning to exhibit signs of abnormal tissue. He uses radiofrequency ablation (RFA) technology to heat and destroy these unwanted cells long before they develop into cancer and metastasize. RFA is a very successful way to prevent esophageal cancer in patients who are already undergoing pre-cancerous tissue changes. RFA requires no surgery and no incisions. Recovery is usually fast with minimal risks of complications. Learn more about esophageal cancer Los Angeles prevention.
Do you have chronic acid reflux or other risk factors for developing esophageal cancer? If you have questions about Esophageal Cancer Prevention Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood and other Los Angeles area patients can schedule a preventive screening by calling 310.271.1122.
