Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor with hidden early symptoms. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, the disease can progress rapidly, severely affecting patients' quality of life. Diverse diagnostic methods, combined with clinical presentation and auxiliary examinations, help confirm the diagnosis and guide subsequent treatment.
1. Endoscopy
Gastroscopy or fiber esophagoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing esophageal cancer. Endoscopy allows direct observation of esophageal mucosal lesions, clearly identifying the tumor's location, size, and morphology. Biopsy samples can be taken if necessary to determine the pathological type.
2. Pathological Biopsy
Tissue samples taken under endoscopy and examined microscopically provide the final basis for confirming esophageal cancer. The pathology report details the cancer cell type and degree of differentiation, offering critical guidance for treatment.
3. Imaging Examination
CT scans and MRI help assess tumor infiltration depth and involvement of surrounding tissues. PET-CT can detect distant metastases, comprehensively evaluating tumor spread to guide staging and treatment planning.
4. Endoscopic Ultrasound
Combining endoscopy with ultrasound technology, this method can accurately assess tumor infiltration depth and nearby lymph node status, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
5. Blood Markers
Although tumor blood markers such as CEA and SCC antigen cannot be used alone for diagnosis, they have value in aiding assessment of disease progression and treatment efficacy.
6. Molecular Diagnosis
In recent years, genetic testing and molecular markers have provided a foundation for precision medicine, aiding in the formulation of individualized treatment strategies. This is especially important in the selection and adjustment of immune reconstruction cell therapy.
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of esophageal cancer treatment. Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that the comprehensive application of multiple diagnostic methods enables early detection and precise staging, providing a scientific basis for advanced therapies such as immune reconstruction cell therapy, thereby improving patient survival rates and quality of life.