A 49-year-old male patient complains of retrosternal pain, heartburn, weight loss of 8 kg over the last year, constipation, weakness. The patient has been a smoker for 20 years, and has a 10-year history of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient is asthenic, has dry skin. EGD revealed an ulcer in the lower third of the esophagus and esophageal stricture accompanied by edema, hyperemia and multiple erosions of the mucosa. What study is required for more accurate diagnosis?

Answer options

1. X-ray examination of the esophagus
2. Biopsy of the esophageal mucosa
3. pH-metry of the esophagus and the stomach
4. Respiratory test for Helicobacter pylori
5. Fecal occult blood test

Explanation

A 49-year-old male patient complains of retrosternal pain, heartburn, weight loss of 8kg over the last year, constipation, weakness. The patient has been a smoker for 20 years, and has a 10-year history of Gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient is asthenic, has dry skin. EGD revealed an ulcer in the lower third of the esophagus and esophageal stricture accompanied by edema, hyperemia and multiple erosions of the mucosa. What study is required for more accurate diagnosis?The above mentioned is an elderly, smoker patient and have a history of GERD and there is the loss of weight which is an alarm sign for cancer. thus the patient is suspected to have esophageal cancer because of esophageal erosion, stricture, edema. The best method of investigation, in this case, is a Biopsy of the esophageal mucosa.