Are there any targeted drugs for esophageal cancer, what are the better treatments, how effective are drugs such as PD-1, and what are the things that can be prevented and noted at present? What is esophageal cancer The esophagus is a tube-like structure made up mainly of muscle fibers and is part of the digestive system. The process of food and liquid reaching the stomach from the throat takes place in the esophagus. Esophageal cancer is formed when certain cells in the esophagus undergo a mutation genetic mutation that leads to malignant proliferation. Esophageal cancer is a common tumor of the digestive tract, and about 300,000 people die from esophageal cancer every year worldwide. Esophageal cancer is a highly prevalent type of tumor in China, with an average of 150,000 deaths per year, and has certain geographical distribution characteristics. The age of onset is mostly above 40 years old, and there are more male patients than female patients. Esophagus is a tubular tissue connecting the throat and stomach The two most common types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma (squamous carcinoma) and adenocarcinoma:1 Squamous carcinoma originates from flattened cells of the esophagus and is most common in the upper and middle part of the esophagus, but may occur anywhere in the esophagus and is also known as epidermoid carcinoma. Worldwide, squamous carcinoma accounts for 90% of all esophageal cancers, and there is no difference in incidence between men and women. Adenocarcinoma originates from cells that make and release mucus, and it usually occurs in the lower part of the esophagus near the stomach. The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is increasing. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is highly prevalent in men, 3-4 times more than in women. Esophageal cancer is often found at an advanced stage, and the typical symptoms are progressive dysphagia, first difficulty in swallowing dry food, followed by semi-liquid food, and finally water and saliva. Since the early symptoms of esophageal cancer are relatively few, there is no good method to achieve early diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The methods used for examination and diagnosis of esophageal cancer are barium meal, X-ray and esophagoscopy. The method to confirm the diagnosis of esophageal cancer is biopsy to observe the shape of cancer cells under the microscope, etc. Immunohistochemistry can also be done to type through molecular indicators. Causes and risk factors of esophageal cancer It has been well documented that esophageal cancer may be a disease caused by multiple factors, with gastroesophageal reflux disease, smoking and obesity being the main risk factors for esophageal cancer. Other risk factors that have been proposed are as follows: 1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), if GERD occurs once a week the risk factor is 5, if GERD occurs once a day the risk factor increases to 7. 2. Chemical etiology, nitrosamines, some diets in areas with high incidence such as sauerkraut have high levels of nitrosamines. 3.Fungal infection, fungus on food in some areas can affect the risk of esophageal cancer, these fungi can promote the formation of nitrosamines and precursors, and more promote the occurrence of cancer. 4.Lack of certain trace elements, such as low content of molybdenum, iron, zinc, fluorine and selenium in grain, vegetables and drinking water. 5.Lack of vitamin A, B2, C, insufficient intake of animal protein, fresh vegetables and fruits. 6.Smoking and alcohol will increase the risk of esophageal cancer by 2 times, and drinking alcohol will increase by 3-5 times. 7.Hot food, hot drinks and unclean mouth, chronic irritation and inflammation caused by too hard, too hot food and too fast eating, as well as dental caries may affect the occurrence of esophageal cancer. 8. The risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma is reduced by 41% in people with H. pylori infection, probably because the infection leads to a decrease in gastric acid secretion, which reduces the risk of Barrett’s esophagus and adenocarcinoma formation. It is also due to these factors that the incidence of esophageal cancer is somewhat regionally aggregated. Prevention trials conducted in China have shown that nutritional supplements, such as vitamins and minerals, do not reduce precancerous damage, nor do they reduce morbidity and mortality, so many so-called health supplements are of little significance. However, we can also see that many risk factors can be actively prevented. For example, smoking, alcohol, overheating of diet, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. Therefore, prevention of esophageal cancer should be done from existing things. Cancer degree reminds you that you need to seek timely treatment from your doctor if you have GERD, which is a very important risk factor to trigger esophageal cancer. Note: Barrett’s esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus) is the lower end of the esophagus with abnormal columnar epithelial covering, the etiology of which is still unknown, and is closely related to reflux esophagitis with the possibility of adenocarcinoma. Treatment of esophageal cancer Treatment measures for esophageal cancer mainly include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. As for which treatment measures to be taken, it depends on the degree of spread and metastasis of esophageal cancer. For localized esophageal cancer without metastasis, surgery is the best measure and the way to cure. Once metastasis occurs, advanced esophageal cancer can be treated to improve the quality of life and prolong the survival time, but it is almost difficult to be cured.