Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0014848 (achalasia)
 2,804 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cancer excepted all other diseases of the esophagus are rare. Diverticula, benign tumors, perforations and the pathology of the cardia (hiatus hernia, achalasia and esophageal varices) are not studied here. We took into consideration the following diseases only: spasm of the cricopharyngeal muscle, Plummer-Vinson or Kelly-Paterson syndrome, cervical osteophytosis, dysphagia lusoria, benign and malignant mediastinal lymphatic nodes, Schatzki ring of the lower esophagus and esophageal duplications.
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PMID:[Some rare diseases of the esophagus (author's transl)]. 22 8

The work-up of patients with benign diseases of the esophagus should start with a diagnostic evaluation. This includes a carefully taken history, radiologic and endoscopic examinations and, in suspected reflux disease, recording of intraesophageal pH. For the evaluation of functional troubles esophageal manometry is recommended. Patients with complicated reflux disease and failures of antireflux treatment should be operated upon. In high peptic stenoses, Barrett's syndrome should be carefully looked for. Achalasia is treated by pneumatic dilatations with more than 90% good or satisfactory results. But diffuse esophageal spasm is little responsive to therapy. There is a risk of secondary carcinoma in Barrett's syndrome, achalasia, caustic lesions and Plummer-Vinson syndrome. Therefore these patients should be seen at regular intervals. There is an urgent need for controlled studies evaluating the comparative results of medical and surgical therapy.
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PMID:[Benign diseases of the esophagus. An internist's view]. 96 Sep 12

A review of the literature is done about the epidemiology and aetiology of esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is a relatively uncommon neoplasm in Western countries with a very poor prognosis. In industrialized countries alcohol and tobacco are the major risk factors. Nutritional factors play also an important role in the aetiology of esophageal cancer, particularly a diet rich in cereal but poor in fresh fruit and vegetables, accounts for some of the geographic differences. Several predisposing disorders for esophageal cancer are known and include Barrett's esophagus, achalasia, chronic strictures due to corrosive substances, tylosis, coeliac disease, and the Plummer-Vinson syndrome. The clinical manifestations are also discussed.
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PMID:Epidemiology and clinical aspects of esophageal cancer. 166 45

In the US, the cumulative lifetime risk of developing carcinoma of the upper gastrointestinal tract is less than 1 per cent, premalignant conditions are uncommon, and esophageal and gastric malignancies are rarely curable even when identified early. Endoscopic screening of the upper gastrointestinal tract in asymptomatic persons thus cannot be justified. Surveillance of persons with certain uncommon conditions associated with a higher risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer may be of benefit. These conditions include achalasia, Barrett's esophagus, chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia, familial polyposis coli, gastric polyps, lye stricture, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, and tylosis. In the lower gastrointestinal tract, however, the lifetime risk of developing carcinoma is 5 per cent, premalignant conditions and lesions are common, and carcinoma is curable when detected at an early stage. Sigmoidoscopic screening of asymptomatic adults has been advocated by the American Cancer Society but has not become widely practiced because of its cost, required physician effort, low overall yield, and poor patient compliance. Surveillance by flexible sigmoidoscopy is recommended for persons at slightly increased risk of colorectal carcinoma who have prior breast or gynecologic malignancy or a family history of colorectal malignancy. Colonoscopic surveillance is recommended for patients with high risk of colorectal cancer who have had prior colorectal carcinoma or adenoma or who have inflammatory bowel disease or a ureterosigmoidostomy.
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PMID:Endoscopic screening and surveillance for gastrointestinal malignancy. 268 51

Cancer of the oesophagus has great diversity in geographical distribution and incidence. The rate of oesophageal cancer has been increasing in some areas and the reasons for this are not clear. This review outlines fascinating epidemiological aspects and the risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. While in the Western world the effects of alcohol and tobacco are substantial preconditions, worldwide other factors, such as diet, nutritional deficiencies, environmental exposure and infectious agents (especially papillomavirus and fungi), play a significant role. Chronic irritation of the oesophagus appears to participate in the process of carcinogenesis, particularly in patients with thermal and/or mechanical injury, achalasia, oesophageal diverticulum, chronic lye stricture, radiation therapy, injection sclerotherapy and gastric resection before the appearance of oesophageal tumour. The association of Plummer-Vinson syndrome, coeliac disease, tylosis and scleroderma with oesophageal cancer has also been reviewed.
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PMID:Risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. 905 60

Squamous cell cancer is the most common neoplasm of the oesophagus worldwide, with an enormous variation in its global incidence. Several risk factors, such as achalasia, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, coeliac disease and nutritional factors, have been identified. The surveillance of patients, especially those with tylosis or caustic ingestion, has been recommended. Vital staining with iodine may improve the diagnosis of early cancer. The endoscopic management of early cancer and dysplasia by minimal invasive techniques such as photodynamic therapy or mucosal resection has become attractive for many of these patients with co-morbidity.
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PMID:Squamous cell cancer of the oesophagus. 1135 14