Esophageal Cancer Symptoms

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor of the esophagus or the food pipe that conveys food from the mouth to the stomach. The tumor can affect any part of the esophagus; however, by and large, statistics say, that the cancer predominantly occurs in the lower portion of the esophagus.

When the DNA of the cells gets damaged, the cells lining the esophagus start multiplying out of control, eventually resulting in malignant cancer. Chronic acid reflux, chewing tobacco, smoking, and heavy alcohol intake, cause oxidative damage to the DNA, thus initiating tumor formation.

An Overview of Esophageal Cancer Symptoms

• During the early stages of the disease, esophageal cancer symptoms are relatively obscure. The patient is usually asymptomatic, i.e., he may not demonstrate any esophageal cancer symptoms.

• With a progression of the disease, the patient experiences dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing. Patients complain of this symptom when the cancer has constricted the tube to half its normal size. Initially, swallowing solids is difficult, but, gradually, it becomes difficult to swallow liquids as well.

• Weight loss occurs. Cancer causes muscle wasting and weight loss; because it alters the way in which nutrients are metabolized by the body. Also, dysphagia triggers poor dietary pattern and the consequent weight reduction.

• Pain is one of the important esophageal cancer symptoms. Pain occurs in the throat, chest and / or between the shoulder blades.

• Food sticking in the throat is a significant symptom.

• Heart burn and discomfort in the chest, during swallowing are other esophageal cancer symptoms.

• Hoarseness of voice, vomiting of blood, constant hiccups and passing blood in the stool are clinical manifestations that appear when the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

It is advisable that you report even the mildest of symptoms to your doctor. Neglecting them can have grave repercussions. Detecting cancer in the early stages helps manage it better. Furthermore, esophageal cancer tends to spread to the surrounding structures and also via blood and lymph, thus affecting distant organs.

Treatment depends on the type of esophageal cancer, the location and spread, and the stage of cancer. Age and general health are also important determining factors.

Surgical excision of the tumor and a part of the esophagus is usually the treatment strategy. Non invasive techniques such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also utilized to bring about complete cure. In general, doctors integrate surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy to help manage the case effectively and successfully. Additionally, following an optimal nutritional plan and including certain home remedies in to the daily diet alleviate the symptoms of the cancer and help meet the daily nutritive requirement.

The successful management of esophageal cancer demands satisfactory knowledge about the symptoms of the disease, and an early identification of the condition. Certain symptoms of esophageal cancer are rather prominent, while some are not easy to detect. Early diagnosis and timely management is the only way to curb its progress.