Esophageal Cancer Treatment Claim

A new treatment for Barrett’s esophagus, a “precancerous condition largely caused by acid reflux disease”, is being tested on the patients at the Loyola University in Maywood, Ill.  This treatment is known as cryospray ablation. According to a nurse at the university, it destroys esophageal tissues and cells by injecting cold temperatures of liquid nitrogen into the patient’s body. According to the nurse.com, this treatment causes “the precancerous tissue to eventually slough off and is then replaced with normal, healthy tissue.” In this treatment, a catheter is attached to an endoscope, which sprays 270 degree of Fahrenheit liquid nitrogen into the esophagus.

Defining Liquid Nitrogen:

Harvard College defines nitrogen as an “inert, colorless, odorless, non-corrosive, noninflammable and extremely cold chemical that makes up the major portion of the atmosphere.” The side effects of liquid nitrogen are non-toxic. However, sometimes asphyxiation may occur due to decreased levels of oxygen and inhalation of excessive nitrogen. Due to this, following side effects can take place:

• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Death

Uses of Cryospray Ablation

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center cryospray ablation, also known as cryotherapy ablation can be defined as a destruction of “the abnormal lining of the esophagus by exposing cells to extreme cold using liquid nitrogen… Successful cryotherapy ablation will avoid the need for alternative treatments such as surgery.”

Patients qualifying for this condition suffer from the several conditions including the following:

• Barrett’s esophagus
• Squamous dysplasia of the esophagus
• Esophagus cancer

Onset of Esophagus Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) “if untreated, Barrett’s esophagus could lead to esophageal cancer, the fastest-growing cancer in the United States.” ACS and the National Library of Medicine that Esophageal cancer is painful and is responsible for the following side effects:

• Weight loss
• Hiccups
• High levels of blood calcium
• Mid chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty in swallowing or dysphagia
• Pneumonia
• Burning in body
• Black stools caused due to the bleeding of cancerous cells

There are many causes associated with the development of esophageal cancer including consumption of heavy alcohol, smoking and acid reflux damage. However, a new cause has been linked to the onset of this condition and that is the use of Fosamax.

Merck and Company manufactures Fosamax. It is a prescription drug used fro the treatment of Osteoporosis, especially among the postmenopausal women suffering from loss of bone density.

According to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients consuming Fosamax are at a higher risk of developing dead jaw syndrome, also known as ONJ. However, about 23 patients using this drug developed esophageal cancer.

Patients who are using Fosamax should consult doctor to make sure that they are not suffering from the severe side effects of Fosamax.