Candida Esophagitis in Patients with Solid Organ Cancers

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Gastroenterology
• Oncology

Background:

• Candida esophagitis (CE) is the most common fungal esophageal infection.
• Epidemiology has shifted towards solid organ malignancies due to modern cancer therapies.
• Patients with solid tumors on chemotherapy, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and PPIs face increased CE risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of CE in solid organ cancer patients.
• To highlight gaps in knowledge regarding diagnostics, resistance, and prophylaxis.
• To emphasize the importance of early recognition and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on CE in cancer patients.
• Analysis of epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.
• Identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions.

Main Results:

• CE presents with variable symptoms, often non-specific, necessitating a high index of suspicion.
• Endoscopy with histopathology is the gold standard for diagnosis.
• Fluconazole is first-line therapy; others are for refractory or non-albicans cases.

Conclusions:

• Prompt CE treatment improves nutritional status, quality of life, and cancer therapy continuity.
• Further research is needed for non-invasive diagnostics, antifungal resistance surveillance, and prophylaxis.
• Early recognition and management of CE are vital in oncology patients.