Oesophageal cancer research
The UK has one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer (cancer of the foodpipe) in Europe. Around 7,650 cases are diagnosed each year, an increase of 30% in the past 20 years.
Unfortunately, the survival rate is poor. Fewer than 1 in 10 patients are still alive five years after diagnosis.
Cancer Research UK funds research into many different aspects of oesophageal cancer, from understanding the causes of the disease to finding better ways of treating it.
We provide information for people with oesophageal cancer and their families and friends on our patient information website, CancerHelp UK. You can find out more about oesophageal cancer in our Cancers at a Glance section. A major risk factor for oesophageal cancer is a condition called Barrett's oesophagus. It is thought to be responsible for around half of all cases. At the University of Bath, Dr Ben Colleypriest is investigating whether we can target the molecules involved in the development of Barrett’s oesophagus to reverse the condition. Sir Walter Bodmer and his team at the University of Oxford are looking into the genes and molecules involved in oesophageal cancer. Understanding the molecular ‘nuts and bolts’ of this disease will lead to new ways of diagnosing, treating and preventing it in the future. Another major factor in the development of oesophageal cancer is tobacco smoke. Cancer Research UK supports a wide range of research in this area. For example, Professor Robert West at the University of London is looking at different ways of helping smokers quit. These include combining NRT with glucose tablets, social support or exercise. We are also involved in lobbying politicians on tobacco policy at both a UK and European level. We have campaigned for larger health warnings on cigarette packs and were instrumental in the introduction of new smokefree laws. Obesity increases the risk of several cancers, including oesophageal cancer. But we don’t yet understand the complex links between what we eat and our cancer risk. We are providing core support for the UK arm of the largest study of diet and health ever undertaken, EPIC. Through this study, researchers are beginning to unravel how certain dietary components affect cancer risk. People with Barrett’s oesophagus need to be closely monitored for signs of developing oesophageal cancer. This involves having regular endoscopies and numerous biopsies to examine the cells of the oesophagus. This can be extremely uncomfortable and time-consuming. Dr Laurence Lovat and his team at University College Hospital are testing a new technique called elastic scattering spectroscopy. It only takes milliseconds to perform and has the potential to detect pre-cancerous areas of the oesophagus. Although surgery can improve the outlook for some patients with oesophageal cancer, it is not often possible to operate. Even after surgery, the disease often returns. Treatment with chemotherapy before surgery can improve the chances of success by shrinking the size of the tumour. This makes it easier to operate on. Sally Stenning at the Medical Research Council
is leading a new trial to compare two combinations of chemotherapy drugs before surgery. Currently, most patients are given a combination called CF. Her team will compare this with another combination called ECX, to see which is most effective at shrinking the tumour.
However, treatment with CF doesn’t always reduce the size of the tumour, and can cause serious side effects. At the University of Leeds, Dr Heike Grabsch and her team are searching for molecular ‘hallmarks’ that may reveal whether or not a patient is likely to respond to oesophageal chemotherapy. In Wolverhampton, Professor David Ferry is leading a large-scale clinical trial to test whether a drug called gefitinib can improve survival for advanced oesophageal cancer. The drug is designed to target a molecule found on the surface of oesophageal cancer cells. So it should cause fewer side effects as it leaves healthy cells unharmed. Dr Tom Crosby and his team at the Velindre NHS Trust in Cardiff are testing whether a drug called cetuximab can improve the outcome for sufferers who are being treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These trials will monitor survival rates as well as assessing patients’ quality of life during treatment. Understanding the causes
Prevention
Early detection
Improving treatment
