The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation

EndoGastric Solutions® (EGS) announced publication of US registry data showing that long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) sufferers who underwent an incisionless procedure maintained symptom relief without the need to take proton pump inhibitor medicines for two years.

Data from the EndoGastric Solutions® (EGS) Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) registry show that outcomes from the procedure observed at six and 12 months remained stable across a range of evaluation methodologies at 24-month follow-up. The TIF procedure reconstructs the gastroesophageal valve which has been found to be the primary cause of GERD.

GERD is one of the primary risk factors for esophageal cancer [adenocarcinoma] which is the fastest growing cancer in the United States and western world, according to the National Cancer Institute.   

“These new findings demonstrate the long-term positive outcomes that come from treating the underlying cause of GERD with this innovative, incisionless approach,” said Reginald Bell, MD, general surgeon at SurgOne Foregut Institute in Englewood, CO and lead author of the paper. “Because the side-effect profile of this procedure is almost non-existent and patients were able to remain off medical therapy, patients now have a very attractive option that fills the treatment gap between PPIs and traditional surgery.”

Patient quality of life scores, measured using a series of validated questionnaires, improved and were sustained compared to baseline at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up intervals (p=<0.001). The data show that quality-of-life scores remained the same over time, suggesting durability of outcomes from 6 months post procedure to 24-month follow-up. Abstract is available here. 

“EGS remains dedicated to developing safe, effective, and low-risk technologies and procedures that treat the tens of thousands of GERD patients who fall into the treatment gap between medical prescription therapy and invasive surgery,” said Skip Baldino, EGS President and CEO. “We are extremely pleased to see the patients who utilized the TIF procedure feeling so much better for so long without the need for medicines to control their symptoms. Given these long-term, real-life outcomes, we believe our TIF procedure can significantly enhance the quality of life for GERD patients.”

The results were published in the November issue of the journal American Surgeon in a study designed to assess the impact of the TIF procedure on patients with chronic GERD at 6-, 12- 24- and 36 month follow-up points. The publication reports results following TIF procedures in 127 consecutive patients prospectively enrolled in the registry and treated at 14 U.S. centers, including 13 general surgery practices and one gastroenterology practice.

About GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic condition in which the gastroesophageal valve (GEV) allows gastric contents to wash back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and possible injury to the esophageal lining. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid and other digestive enzymes after a meal to aid in the digestion of food. The cells that line the stomach compose a protective mucus that can withstand gastric contents, while the cells that line the esophagus lack the same protection.

GERD is the most common gastrointestinal-related diagnosis made by physicians during clinical visits in the U.S. It is estimated that pain and discomfort from acid reflux impacts over 23 million people two or more times per week in the U.S. The standard recommendations for symptomatic GERD patients include lifestyle changes (e.g. diet, scheduled eating times, and sleeping positions) and escalating doses of prescription medications for prolonged periods of time. Long-term, maximum dose usage of prescription medications has been linked to a variety of other health complications.

About the EsophyX® device
The EsophyX device was FDA cleared in 2007, and is commercially available in the United States. Inserted through the patient’s mouth with visual guidance from an endoscope, the EsophyX device is used to reconstruct the gastroesophageal valve (GEV) in order to restore its function as a barrier to prevent stomach acids from washing back up into the esophagus.

About Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) procedure for reflux
Performed entirely through the mouth without the need for external incisions through the skin, the TIF procedure offers patients who require an anatomical change to correct the underlying cause of GERD, another treatment option beyond traditional surgery. Studies show that for up to three years after the TIF procedure esophageal inflammation (esophagitis) is eliminated and most patients are able to stop using daily PPI medications to control symptoms.

The TIF procedure has an established safety and efficacy profile with more than 16,000 patients treated worldwide. For more information, visit www.GERDHelp.com.  Adapted from original media release. 

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Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Esophageal cancer does not discriminate against anyone.  Men and women of all ages and ethnicities can be affected.

Known risk factors of esophageal cancer include:

Chronic heartburn (acid reflux disease, Gastroesophagael Reflux Disease, GERD)
Obesity
Poor Nutrition
Smoking/tobacco use
Excessive drinking
Environmental Factors

Age, gender and ethnicity are also considered risk factors. The American Cancer Society states om their website that “men are more than 3 times as likely as women to get esophageal cancer” and that “the chance of getting esophageal cancer is low at younger ages and increases with age. Less than 15% of cases are found in people younger than age 55.”

While it is true that older men have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer, esophageal cancer is increasing rapidly and has increased over 600% in the past decades.  Therefore, esophageal cancer diagnoses are increasingly affecting all ages, genders and races.

Esophageal cancer diagnoses are increasing at such a rate that Gastroenterologists have projected that “within 10 years, esophageal cancer is going to exceed colon cancer as the second most common cancer in this country,” Dr. Jonathan Aviv noted in his video presentation “The Changing Face of Esophageal Cancer.” 

Take for instance Yosra El-Essawy, International photographer and documenter who in more recent years worked with Beyoncé. Yosra El-Essawy —passed away earlier this week at age 33 after her battle with esophageal cancer.

Yosra El-Essawy with Beyoncé.

“In June 2013 whilst on Beyoncé’s ‘The Mrs Carter Show World Tour’ just shy of my 32nd birthday, I was diagnosed with stage 4, inoperable oeseophageal cancer,” Yosra wrote on her website. This devastating diagnosis came only 8 weeks after she “landed the job of a lifetime” working with Beyoncé.

Yosra El-Essawy was female, 32 years old and of Egyptian decent and fits none of the risk factors which we quoted from ACR’s website.   Risk factors associated with esophageal cancer also usually include drinking, obesity and chronic acid reflux – things also not associated with Yosra.

On Yosra’s website, teamslugslayer.com, a section of the website is dedicated to “Oesophageal Cancer Survival Stories.” There we found stories of survivors who were 27, 36, and 47 years old.
So, what can be done to prevent cases such as Yosra’s and many others who are diagnosed with esophageal cancer yet are not considered “at risk.”?

Research.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer and one of the deadliest cancers, it is extremely underfunded.

In fact, the National Cancer Institute decreased funding for research of esophageal cancer by 15% in 2012.   NCI invests a mere $28.0 million out of their total $5.07 billion budget for esophageal cancer.  That is approximately half of one percent.

In 2014, The American Cancer Society reports on their website that they currently fund 1,165 cancer research projects.  Only 8 of these projects are for esophageal cancer research.

When it comes to esophageal cancer incidences such as Yosra’s, awareness and early detection would not have been enough to save her life. There were no indicators that she may be at risk for deadly esophageal cancer and when she did experience symptoms, it was too late.

Many who are diagnosed with esophageal cancer, even those considered at risk, rarely experience any symptoms in the cancers early stages. Symptoms such as difficulty swallowing tend to appear once the cancer has spread and reached an advanced stage.

There is also no standard or routine screening to detect esophageal cancer in its earliest stages when the cancer is more treatable.
Research is needed to discover exactly what causes esophageal cancer and what can be done to prevent it; especially in those who are not seen as “at risk.”

In order to find the root of the problem which is esophageal cancer, researchers need to be equipped with adequate resources and funding.

Esophageal cancer research does not receive enough funding; both from the government organizations and other nonprofit charities.  You can make a difference by donating today to support this life-saving research. All donations are 100% tax deductible and go directly towards this mission.

Donate to esophageal cancer research today!

Sources:

“Margi Maki, who has survived three bouts of cancer, has some advice for those who are newly diagnosed with esophagus cancer: Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet. (Juneau Empire)

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Juneau resident Margi Maki has survived three different cancers in the past decade. Maki said a positive attitude makes all the difference.

The 57-year-old Juneau resident remembers consulting the Web to find out what the survival rate was for her stage of cancer (Stage 4 Barrett’s Esophagus) when she was diagnosed in 2002.

The news was devastating: she learned she had a 1 percent chance, or less, of survival. (Nowadays, that percentage is listed as “less than 5 percent.”) Her doctors confirmed the survival rate was low.

“You don’t go look that up on the Internet,” Maki says in hindsight.

Maki has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds in her decade-long battle against cancer. Following surgery and dual chemotherapy and radiation treatment, the esophagus cancer re-metasised on her lung in 2006. Then she was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2010.

“Three bouts and I’m still alive,” she said, beaming, during an interview at her home Friday for the Empire’s series this month for cancer awareness.”

Read more about Maki’s story on JuneauEmpire.com 

Source: Three times a survivor, Margi Maki refuses to be a statistic  | Juneau Empire – Alaska’s Capital City Online Newspaper.

Is your risk of esophageal cancer impacted by your family’s medical history?  

It is common for family members of those diagnosed with esophageal cancer to wonder if they, too, will be affected by the cancer.  Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most common type of esophageal cancer in the United States and is also the fastest growing cancer in both the US and the western world.

A study conducted by a researcher in Sweden found that the risk of esophageal cancer [adenocarcinoma] is 3.5 times higher in people with a parent diagnosed with esophageal cancer (overall).

Unfortunately, the researcher warns in their findings that “because of the limited number of familial cases, the results should be interpreted with caution.”  As with many other factors concerning esophageal cancer research, there isn’t a good deal of research into a genetic or hereditary link to esophageal cancer.

An article written by Ryan Smith and Eric Shinohara of The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania stated: “there is not a clear link between a family medical history of esophageal cancer and an individual’s risk of developing esophageal cancer.”

However, researchers do know one way that your family’s medical history can increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer: familial risk factors.

How do “familial” risk factors play key role in esophageal cancer?

A familial risk factor is a risk factor that is shared by your family members.  For instance, your father had chronic acid reflux which puts you at higher odds of also having chronic reflux.  Research so far indicates that your chance of developing esophageal cancer is impacted by these risk factors that you “share” with family members who have had esophageal cancer.   The same could hold true even for family members who have not been diagnosed with esophageal cancer but have some or all of the risk factors associated with esophageal cancer.

“There is no generally accepted relationship between esophageal cancer and heredity. Having said that, there are clearly other factors, such as obesity, smoking and alcohol use that could be related to what we might call environmental exposures,” says Len Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer of Cancer Control Science at the American Cancer Society.

What are some risk factors of esophageal cancer?

It is very important to note that having a risk factor does not automatically indicate that one will have esophageal cancer or other diseases.  Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that one will never be diagnosed with esophageal cancer or other diseases.  Risk factors increase your chances of developing esophageal cancer; especially if you have more than one of the following risk factors.  The severity and length of time that one has a risk factor also increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.   Below are some of the risk factors associated with esophageal cancer:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), also known as Acid Reflux Disease, or Chronic heartburn

Barrett’s esophagus

Obesity

Poor diet

Smoking and/or use of tobacco products

Excessive alcohol consumption

Environmental exposures

Age and gender have also been considered risk factors, as men who are older than 55 are more likely to have esophageal cancer than younger ages and all ages for women.  We cringe when we read these statements.  Especially since we meet and hear of so many people who are young and old, male or female who have been diagnosed or have passed away from esophageal cancer.

We can’t stress this enough:  Esophageal cancer does not discriminate!  Unfortunately, esophageal cancer diagnoses have increased over 600% in the past decades and are increasingly affecting all ages and genders.

Early detection of esophageal cancer saves lives!

If you have any of the risk factors listed above or are concerned that you may be at risk of esophageal cancer, please do not wait to speak to your doctor.  The earlier esophageal cancer is caught, the better the treatment options and the higher the chances are for survival.

Currently, there are no standard or routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer; therefore, we urge you to be proactive about your health!  If you feel that you should be screened, speak to your physician or gastroenterologist.  Insist that you receive screening.  If you have to get a second opinion, do so! You are your own best advocate!

What are some screening methods for esophageal cancer?

The following are some of the more commonly used methods of detecting esophageal cancer and other abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach and other parts of the digestive system.

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy:  

During this procedure, a doctor uses an endoscope to see the upper GI tract, which consists of the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine.  An endoscope is a lightweight, flexible, hollow instrument equipped with a lens which allows the doctor to see these internal parts.  Examining the esophagus, the doctor is looking for any abnormalities and/or inflammation, areas which have been irritated, abnormal growths or cancer. The procedure is generally preformed while a patient is under sedation.  Sedation is not required for all patients, as some receive minimal to no sedation.

Doctors utilize endoscopy procedures to also detect ulcers, abnormal growths in the stomach or first part of small intestines, bowel obstructions or hiatal hernias.  There are small risks associated with an endoscopy, such as bleeding, tissue infection and tears in the gastrointestinal tract.  These are rare instances, as the Mayo Clinic reports that the latter occurs in about three to five time out of every 10,000 upper endoscopies.

Barium Swallow X-Ray:

Also known as an esophagram, an upper gastroentestional series of X-rays used to examine the esophagus for any abnormal conditions.  This test requires patient to drink a thick liquid that temporarily coats the lining of the esophagus.  This will highlight the lining of the esophagus clearly on the X-rays to help better detect any abnormality.

Biopsy

If during an endoscopy, doctors find any suspicious tissue, they will use an endoscope (defined above) passed down the throat into the esophagus to collect a sample of the tissue.  This tissue sample is then sent to a laboratory which will look for cancer cells.

If you are experiencing frequent heartburn or any of the other risks, consult your doctor and be sure to also share this message with your family and friends who may be at risk.

Let’s work together to change the statistics regarding esophageal cancer! 

Our mission is to raise awareness and encourage early detection.  We achieve this by providing you with the information that you and/or others might be at risk need to make an educated decision about getting screened.   If you would like to join this mission by contributing to awareness and research funding for esophageal cancer, please click here.  Also, remember to join us on Facebook to spread the word and save lives!

The overall death rate from cancer in the United States has fallen 20% from its peak in 1991. Breast cancer death rates have dropped 27% from 1990 to 2005 and colon cancer death rates, which have been declining for 20 years, fell about 30% from 2000 to 2010. These great developments are thanks, in part, to nationwide public awareness campaigns, improvements in early detection methods and billions of dollars in research funding.

Unfortunately, as these cancer death rates have fallen, esophageal cancer has increased so much that it is now the fastest growing cancer in the United States.

Esophageal cancer is also among the deadliest of cancers, with an overall five-year survival rate of only 17.5%. Esophageal cancer’s survival rate is especially daunting as compared to breast cancer and colon cancer’s five-year survival rates of 89.2% and 98.9%, respectively.

There are major disparities in esophageal cancer research funding, both from the government and private funders.

The National Cancer Institute decreased its investment in research of esophageal cancer by 15% in 2012; esophageal cancer research receives a mere $28.0 million out of NCI’s total $5.07 billion budget; that’s approximately half of one percent.

While The American Cancer Society reports that they currently fund 1,165 cancer research projects, only 8 of those research projects are related to esophageal cancer.

In the past three years, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has been approached by 13 medical research facilities from across the United States, requesting funding for their research projects dedicated to esophageal cancer.

Disparities in cancer research funding, especially pertaining to esophageal cancer research, which gets just a tiny slice of the cancer research pie, is not something new. In 2009 “a CBS News analysis of data released by the American Cancer Society reveals a large disparity in funding for different types of cancer.”

“Declines are concentrated among the cancers that receive the most research funding, while some of the fastest growing cancers are getting little publicity or funding,” CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reports in a CBS News Article.

Researchers from the Biological Sciences Department at California State University studied the research funding distribution for different cancers in the United States. They analyzed research funding based on “burden metrics”, which included incidences, mortalities, economic costs and Years of Life Lost (YLL). What they found was that there are inequities in cancer research funding.

Researchers Ashley JR Carter* and Cecine N Nguyen reported in their article in 2012 that “overfunded cancers include breast cancer, prostate cancer and leukemia; underfunded cancers include bladder, esophageal cancer, liver, oral, pancreatic, stomach and uterine cancer.”

Carter and Nguyen stated in their research article that “we recommend redistribution from overfunded cancers to underfunded cancers to improve the effectiveness of cancer research funding.”

Can you imagine how many lives would have been lost if breast and colon cancer did not receive sufficient research funding, if there was little public awareness and if there were no standard screenings to detect these deadly cancers in their earlier stages? Unfortunately, esophageal cancer is facing just that. With little public awareness, no standard or routine screenings and underfunded research projects, esophageal cancer is increasing; over 600% in past decades.

The good news is that you can help change these statistics regarding esophageal cancer by joining our mission to raise awareness and encourage early detection of esophageal cancer.

Spread the word by liking us on Facebook and sharing important news and information concerning esophageal cancer. Donations to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation are 100% tax deductible, as we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, as recognized by the IRS.

Our mission is to save lives by reducing the number of incidences of esophageal cancer. This can be done not only by encouraging early detection, but through funding research, which explores prevention of esophageal cancer and easier ways to diagnose esophageal cancer at earlier stages.

Unfortunately, esophageal cancer is typically caught in the late stages, as symptoms often arise too late and once the cancer has spread and becomes difficult, if not impossible, to treat and cure.

Did you know that patients who are diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer typically only receive treatments to relieve symptoms in attempts to improve the quality of life before they pass away?  Funding esophageal cancer research will also fuel projects which are working to find new and improved current treatments for those who are diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

In order to meet this life-saving mission, esophageal cancer research needs funding. There is an enormous opportunity for you to save and improve lives. Make a donation to esophageal cancer research efforts by clicking here: Donate today.