Question

A 68-year-old man who has smoked for at least 50 years reports that lately he feels as though food is "getting stuck" in his throat. At first this was a problem just with dry food, but now his morning oatmeal is getting stuck. On questioning, he reports drinking at least five alcoholic beverages nearly every day. His problem is most likely:
A) achalasia.B) squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.C) dysphagia secondary to scleroderma.D) gastrointestinal reflux disease.

Answer 1

Answer:

B) Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Explanation:

In a short answer, the man is suffering from esophagus cancer. It is often lethal, and is usually associated with excessive smoking and drinking (along with old age).

The phrase "squamous cell carcinoma" can be interpreted as "cancer of the squamous cells". Squamous epithelial cells are the cells that line the esophagus and make it possible for the "swallowing action" to happen.