The esophagus stretches from the pharynx in the oral cavity and attaches to the stomach. This tube-shaped organ is used to transport food and liquids to the stomach for digestion. Esophagus cancer is extremely rare and accounts for less than 0.5 percent of all cancers in both cats and dogs.
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Types
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Types of cancers that affect the esophagus include fibrosarcoma, sarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Symptoms
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Signs of canine esophageal cancer include weight loss, painful swallowing and difficulty eating. Regurgitation and general debilitation may occur.
Diagnosis
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Diagnosing esophagus cancer in dogs involves tests such as X-rays, tissue biopsies, a positive-contrast esophagogram---which evaluates swallowing function--and an esophagoscopy, which tests for visual abnormalities in the esophagus.
Treatment
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Canine esophageal cancer is difficult to treat. Surgical removal with the replacement of feeding tubes, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be beneficial for some cases as determined by the overseeing veterinary oncologist (cancer specialist).
Prognosis
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Due to facts such as the high rate of metastasis (cancer spreading) and the location of the esophagus, dogs who develop this form of cancer often have a poor prognosis.
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