食道癌病人常見的健康問題及護理

Esophageal Cancer: Common Health Problems and Health Management

食道癌位居台灣癌症死因的第九位，由於食道癌初期無明顯症狀，但是當病人出現症狀就醫時，病情常有轉移或已是末期的情況，因此造成病患身心社會極大的衝擊。本文的目的是藉由文獻查證的方式，來探討食道癌的臨床診斷與治療方式，以及食道癌病人常見的吞嚥困難、疼痛、疲憊、不確定感及社交隔離等身心社會的健康問題，並針對以上問題提出相關的護理措施。在瞭解食道癌病人常見的生理、心理及社會層面的健康問題後，不僅能協助護理人員在照護這一類病患的過程中可以提供更完整的照護，也能讓病人在罹病過程中，減輕生理症狀所造成的不適。此外，提供食道癌病人心理與社會層面的相關護理措施，將能讓病患有較多的安全感去面對疾病所帶來的問題，使病人在罹病的過程中活得有尊嚴及價值，擁有較佳的生活品質

Esophageal cancer is the 9th leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. Lack of obvious symptoms or signs during its early stages means that patients are often already in the terminal stage or metastasis at their first diagnosis. A diagnosis of cancer greatly impacts both patients and their families. The purpose of this paper is to explore the current diagnostic methods and treatments used for esophageal cancer. We discuss the effects of physical, psychological and social problems such as dysphagia, fatigue, pain, uncertainty, and social isolation. We also explore the nursing interventions related to these problems. Understanding the health issues related to esophageal cancer will not only help nurses who take care of patients with esophageal cancer provide holistic care, it will also reduce patients' suffering through the treatment and recovery process. By applying interventions that effectively address the physical, psychological, and social realms, healthcare professionals can help patients feel more secure when dealing with related problems. This will improve patients' dignity, value and quality of life through their cancer journey.