One day, when it is said that there is anterior cancer lesion in the esophagus. Precancerous lesions are a general term for cell mutations that can lead to cancer. It is thought that many people who have esophageal cancer have it, but its existence is not known surprisingly. It doesn't necessarily have a negative effect on the body right away, but it's a troublesome place with the potential for cancer. I wonder how to get along with them.
Precancerous lesions in the pre-stage of cancer, genetic mutations accumulate, refers to a condition that may become cancer. It is not an official disease name, but a slang term used among medical professionals. The place and the cause which can be done are different. Such as dysplasia cells of the colon of the large intestine found in regular checkups and cells of the cervix (Kei) is raised is known.
However, it is not well known that precancerous lesions can be done in the esophagus. Most of them are called "atypical epithelium" or "intraepithelial tumors" found in the surface layer of the mucous membrane, and some lesions are prone to cancer.
Most of the time, it depends on drinking too much alcohol or smoking too much. According to Osamu Nubukuroya, director of gastroenterology at Toranomon Hospital (Minato, Tokyo), men over the age of 50 who drink more than 1.5 cups of sake a day or smoke more than 40 boxes of cigarettes in a year are more likely to have cancer or precancerous lesions than those who do not drink or smoke at all.
According to Toshiyuki You, Deputy Director of the Upper Gastrointestinal Department of Cancer Research Institute Ariake Hospital (Koto, Tokyo), people who "learn to train and drink" should be careful, even though about a glass of beer made their face turn red. The reason is that the function of the enzyme which breaks down acetaldehyde, a carcinogen that occurs in the process of alcohol metabolism, remains weak.
Precancerous lesions have a rougher surface than the normal esophagus, but it is difficult to distinguish them just by looking at them with an endoscope.
A typical test is a method of observing brown iodine solution by spraying it on the esophagus with an endoscope. If it is normal, it is evenly dyed brown, but cancer and precancerous lesions are not dyed or dyed lightly. The tissue of such a part is collected and judged by a microscope.
Iodine examinations are not very common at clinics or regular checkups. However, Mr. Nubukuroya says, "If any of the specialized hospitals that are members of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy determine that the risk is high on the questionnaire, we are actively conducting iodine tests."
The difficulty with iodine testing is that some people feel bitter or sick in their mouths. Toranomon Hospital and Cancer Research Institute Ariake Hospital also use tests that shed special light called "narrowband light". If you are interested, check with the hospital. In addition, The Cancer Research Institute Ariake Hospital is conducting research to find precancerous lesions and cancer using artificial intelligence (AI).
What should I do if I find a precancerous lesion? Mr. Nubukuroya says, "If the risk of carcinogenesis increases, it is necessary to treat it as a disease and carefully look at it through regular examinations." It may be removed by endoscopic surgery prophylactically, in which case it will be hospitalized for about a week.
There is no pain, no fever, and a light one is not considered a disease. Most of the follow-up. Doctors may not tell you that they are there. Quitting alcohol and smoking is the best way to deal with it.
We have no choice but to take regular examinations and be patient with each other. "There are reports that quitting alcohol for 16 and a half years reduces the risk of carcinogenesis to those who do not drink. If it takes a long time, precancerous lesions may decrease little by little," says Yuyu.
Cancer insurance benefits
Will precancerous lesions be covered by medical insurance and cancer insurance? In the case of medical insurance, if hospitalization or hospital visits occur, you will receive benefits. It is also applied in the case of precancerous lesions.
Cancer insurance was once not able to receive benefits unless it was clearly diagnosed as cancer. However, in recent years, precancerous lesions may be eligible for benefits. There are products that benefit when "intraepithelial neoplastic" is found, and there are cases where you can get it under the pretext of "first diagnosis lump sum" even if it is not accompanied by surgery or hospitalization.
The amount of money varies. In some cases, the lump sum is half the price of cancer or one-tenth of that of cancer. Some products, such as Orix Life Insurance's Cancer Insurance Believe, are the same amount as cancer.
MetLife Life Insurance Co., Ltd.'s "Gun Insurance Guard X" is a precancerous lesion and is paid a lump sum many times up to once every two years. Check with your insurance company