Signs & Symptoms of Esophegal Cancer

The esophagus carries food from your throat to your stomach. Esophageal cancer is a relatively rare form of the disease that develops in the lining of the esophagus. Knowing the risk factors of esophageal cancer may help you avoid it. Things that increase your risk include excessive use of alcohol, using chewing tobacco, drinking very hot liquids on a regular basis, eating a diet that lacks plenty of fruits and vegetables, smoking, being overweight, suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and experiencing radiation therapy to the upper body.

Barrett's Esophagus

A condition known as Barrett's Esophagus increases the risk of eventually developing esophageal cancer. In Barrett's, the normal lining of the esophagus is missing and instead the lining is similar to the intestinal lining. It is common in people who suffer from GERD. Knowing the signs of esophageal cancer is important, because an early diagnosis offers the best chance of recovery.

Early Signs

A patient often has no signs of cancer during the early stages of the disease, which tend to include difficulty swallowing, unintentional weight loss, pain in the chest region and a feeling of fatigue.

Advanced Symptoms

Unfortunately, many of the early signs of esophageal cancer are so minor that the patient does not know he is ill until the disease has spread. As esophageal cancer becomes more advanced, the symptoms can be debilitating. Extreme weight loss is a common side effect. As the cancer grows on the lining of the esophagus, it obstructs the pathway to the stomach, which makes swallowing difficult as well as extremely painful. Generalized pain in the area is another common side effect of advanced esophageal cancer. Bleeding usually develops as the cancer progresses. And as cancer erodes the esophagus, it can cause a hole to develop in the trachea, leading to uncontrollable coughing.