Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Bautista
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Updated on: May 6, 2022
About Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a type of gastrointestinal cancer, which also includes gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer. Esophageal cancer occurs in the esophagus, the long tube through which food is pushed down your throat and into your stomach. This form of cancer can appear anywhere in the esophagus, though it more commonly starts in the cells lining the esophagus. Esophageal cancer is also more prominent in men than women and remains the sixth most common cancer-related cause of death in the world.
Esophageal cancer is categorized based on the cells it affects. The most common type of esophageal cancer in the U.S. are:
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma – Adenocarcinoma affects the cells of the mucus-secreting glands in the esophagus and typically starts in the lower part of the esophagus. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most common type of esophageal cancer in the United States.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – A cancer patient with esophageal carcinoma will have linings of cells on the surface of the esophagus, often in the upper and middle portions of the esophagus. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is the most common and prevalent form of esophageal cancer worldwide.
Causes and Risk Factors
All forms of cancer come from genetic mutations that cause the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells, which accumulate and eventually form into an esophageal tumor that can grow and spread to other parts of the body.
The exact cause of this mutation is unknown, but there are certain factors known to increase your risk of getting the disease. One of the most widely known contributors to esophageal cancer is smoking, which introduces tobacco and other carcinogens into your throat and esophagus.
Chronic irritation of the esophagus can also contribute to cellular changes that may result in esophageal cancer. This is often why conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett’s esophagus are common risk factors of esophageal cancer. GERD is a chronic digestive condition that results in persistent acid reflux, during which stomach acids may travel up into the esophagus, resulting in irritation and heartburn.
Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging
In its early stages, esophageal cancer may not present any noticeable symptoms. In some cases, throat cancer can spread to the esophagus, making early detection and staging essential for effective treatment. As the cancer spreads and progresses, some common signs and symptoms may include:
- Problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- Unintended weight loss
- Pressure, pain, or burning in the chest
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Persistent hoarseness or coughing
Cancer diagnosis may rely on various tests. This often includes an endoscopy, during which the oncologists pass a flexible tube equipped with a video lens into your esophagus. The doctor can search your esophagus for cancer and other areas of irritation or abnormality. The doctor may also be able to take a tissue sample (biopsy) using the endoscope. This sample is then sent to a lab for further analysis of the esophageal cancer cells.
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The oncologists use information from these tests to determine the stage of your esophageal cancer. There are five stages (0 to IV) with higher numbers designating cancer that has advanced and spread to other organs or parts of the body.
Holistic & Natural Cancer Treatments for Esophageal Cancer
Typical treatments for the disease in cancer patients include surgery to remove the tumor or part of the esophagus as well as preoperative chemotherapy/preoperative chemoradiation such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. While these chemoradiotherapy treatments may be effective and kill esophageal cancer cells, they often come at the price of negative side effects. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, in particular, can cause damage to healthy tissue. With alternative treatments, you can mitigate any negative side effects and support your continued recovery through natural solutions that will not hurt your body.
At Immunity Therapy Center, you can find a wide range of alternative esophageal cancer treatment options for you. Our team is committed to developing attentive care, advanced esophageal cancer treatment plans, and helping you choose the best targeted therapy options that work based on your personal preferences. Depending on the cancer diagnosis, stage of the cancer and your health needs, our cancer care is personalized for each patient. Regular one-on-one consultations with Dr. Bautista help to guide your treatment and allow for adjustments to your program as necessary. Our focus is on personal attention and relationships, ensuring that you are treated as a human being and not a chart or diagnosis. Our team has over 20 years of experience treating a variety of cancer types, ranging from pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer to lung cancer, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you through your cancer journey. Contact us today to learn more or to receive a holistic cancer treatment for esophageal cancer patients.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5387137/
https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/gastrointestinal-cancers
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.
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FAQ's
Select Topic:- Diseases and Treatments
- Our Mexico-based Center and Team
- Patient Expectations and Experiences
- Costs and Travel Arrangements
Diseases and Treatments
Many patients come to us after going through several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and other conventional cancer treatments. Our alternative cancer therapy programs are often more effective and have fewer side effects for our patients than those treatments.
Many of our alternative therapies are designed to boost your immune system so it is better able to recognize, fight, and kill cancer cells without the need of chemotherapy and radiation.
Learn more about our alternative cancer therapies.
We offer the following alternative therapies for naturally treating cancer and other diseases:
- Whole Body Hyperthermia
- Localized Hyperthermia
- Sonodynamic Therapy
- Laser Cancer Therapy
- Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT)
- Rife Therapy
- Intravenous Solutions (IV Cancer Therapy)
- Enzymatic Cancer Therapy
- Oxygen Cancer Therapy
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
- Laetrile Therapy (Vitamin B17)
- Specific Transfer Factor Vaccine Against Cancer
- Regenerative Cell Cancer Therapy (Peptide Treatment)
- Intraperitoneal Perfusion Hyperthermia
- Viral Anticancer Vaccine
We emphasize immunotherapy cancer therapy, which includes different therapies designed to boost and strengthen your immune system so it can recognize, fight, and kill cancer cells on its own. Immunity Therapy Center is unique because we are able to offer both alternative and conventional treatments in customized, individualized programs.
Learn more about our alternative cancer therapies.
Most treatment programs are completed in three weeks. Depending on the stage and condition of your disease, you may require a treatment program of six weeks or more.
Learn more about our treatment process.
Dr. Bautista will evaluate you once your program is complete and recommend follow-up care. Depending on your situation, this may include alternative therapies, medications, and natural supplements you can take at home, or returning to our center in three to six months for further treatment.
Learn more about our alternative cancer treatment process.
Our Mexico-based Center and Team
We are in Tijuana, a major metropolitan city in Baja California, Mexico, right across the border from San Diego, California. Learn more about our location and our facility.
Dr. Bautista received formal medical training from Baja California State University in Mexico. He also holds a Masters in Nutrition from the same university. He has worked as a Director for alternative medicine hospitals. Early in his career, Dr. Bautista became interested in alternative cancer therapy and treatments and has studied alternative treatments extensively around the world.
Learn more about Dr. Bautista.
Patient Expectations and Experiences
Our alternative, natural treatment programs are completely customized and different for each person. Dr. Bautista personally evaluates each patient to design a holistic, alternative therapy program based on specific needs. He meets with every patient, every day, to monitor and evaluate his or her treatment and progress. This allows him to make immediate adjustments to treatments as needed.
Our entire team strives to make your treatment program a positive experience.
Learn more about our treatment process and listen to some of our patients’ experiences at Immunity Therapy Center.
We treat a wide range of patients with a variety of cancer types from stage 1 to stage 4, as well as patients with different autoimmune diseases, chronic degenerative diseases, and infectious diseases. All these factors, as well as previous treatments and medical history, impact individual success and survival rates.
Dr. Bautista will discuss your condition and chance of success during your initial consultation. Many of our patients do go into remission and see enhanced quality of life following treatment.
Learn more about survival and success rates.
We highly encourage bringing a friend or family member. Having strong support is an important factor in your treatment success.
Dr. Bautista and our nutritionist will discuss your diet with you during your cancer treatment. Your specific dietary needs may vary, but we encourage you to eat a balanced, organic diet as much as possible.
We have an onsite chef that prepares organic, healthy meals at our center.
Costs and Travel Arrangements
A typical three-week treatment program costs $18,995USD, and includes all therapies, diagnostics, and a healthy, organic, breakfast and lunch (+2 juices/smoothies) Monday – Saturday. Room and other board, travel costs, surgeries, and blood transfusions are not included. Some very specific therapies may not be included. Depending on your stage and condition, you may need six weeks of treatment or more.
There are options to help you cover the cost of your alternative cancer treatment at Immunity Therapy Center. Visit our Payment & Financing page to learn more.
Unfortunately, most major health insurance providers do not cover alternative treatments, but there are other options to help you cover the cost of your treatment. Visit our Payment & Financing page to learn more.
We accept major credit cards (some fees may apply), personal and cashier’s checks, wire transfers, and cash. You can also easily PAY ONLINE.
Airfare is not included in the program cost; however, transfers to and from the airport (Tijuana or San Diego) and transportation between our center and your hotel are included.
You may fly into Tijuana, Mexico or San Diego, California. Wewill make arrangements to meet and pick you up at either airport. We are only 25 minutes from the San Diego International Airport. You may also drive to the center. When you schedule your treatment, we will provide detailed driving directions.
Learn more about making travel arrangements to our facility in Tijuana, Mexico.
If you are undergoing outpatient treatment, you will need to stay in a local hotel or other lodging option during your treatment. We are located near several quality hotels in Tijuana, and have arranged special rates for our patients.
Learn more about recommended hotels and accommodations on our Travel Information page.
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