Esophageal cancer symptoms

Swallowing challenges usually begin with larger pieces of solid food (especially meat, bread, and raw vegetables), but can then worsen to include semisolid foods and eventually liquids. At the time of diagnosis, many people note that they have already started to adjust their diet unconsciously, chewing food items more completely and avoiding foods that are more likely to become stuck. Painful Swallowing Swallowing may also become painful (odynophagia) for around 20% of people. The pain may be felt within a few moments of swallowingwhen the food or liquids reach the tumor and can't pass. Pain may also occur if the cancer causes an open sore in the lining of the esophagus, or if it invades surrounding tissues. Unexplained Weight Loss Unintentional weight loss is defined as the loss of 5% of body weight or moreover a six- to 12-month period. An example would be a 150-pound woman losing 7.5 pounds over a period of six months without a change in diet or exercise habits. Weight loss can be caused both by lack of nutrition due to swallowing difficulties and the metabolism of the tumor itself. Complications There are a number of complications that may occur with esophageal cancer. Some of these occur due to local involvement, such as the narrowing of and/or erosion of the esophagus. Others may occur due to the spread of the tumor, and yet others have to do with the difficulty getting adequate nutrition with a narrowed esophagus. Esophageal Obstruction Obstruction of the esophagus ...

Esophageal cancer starts in your esophagus, the long muscular tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach. Most people don’t notice symptoms until after the cancer has spread. If detected early, healthcare providers may be able to eliminate the cancer with surgery and other treatments. When they can’t cure the cancer, they focus on extending lifespan, easing symptoms and maintaining quality of life. Gene Link to Esophageal Cancer What is esophageal cancer? Esophageal cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the world. It starts in the tissues in your esophagus, the long muscular tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach. Tumors caused by esophageal cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms until the cancer has spread. Healthcare providers treat early-stage esophageal cancer with surgery to remove the tumors or ease symptoms. They may use treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy to treat more advanced or later-stage esophageal cancer. When they can’t cure the cancer, they focus on helping people live longer, easing symptoms and maintaining quality of life. Medical researchers are working on treatments that will help people with esophageal cancer live longer. How does esophageal cancer affect my body? Esophageal cancer happens when cancerous cells in your esophageal tissue begin to multiply, eventually creating a tumor. Esophageal cancer is aggressive, but many people don’t notice symptoms until after the cancer has spread. Th...

Endoscopy An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy involves inserting a flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope down your throat and into your esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your doctor examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine, called the duodenum. Tests and procedures used to diagnose esophageal cancer include: • Barium swallow study. During this study, you swallow a liquid that includes barium and then undergo X-rays. The barium coats the inside of your esophagus, which then shows any changes to the tissue on the X-ray. • Using a scope to examine your esophagus (endoscopy). During endoscopy, your doctor passes a flexible tube equipped with a video lens (videoendoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus. Using the endoscope, your doctor examines your esophagus, looking for cancer or areas of irritation. • Collecting a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy). Your doctor may use a special scope passed down your throat into your esophagus (endoscope) to collect a sample of suspicious tissue (biopsy). The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory to look for cancer cells. Determining the extent of the cancer Once a diagnosis of esophageal cancer is confirmed, your doctor may recommend additional tests to determine whether your cancer has spread to your lymph nodes or to other areas of your body. Tests may include: • Bronchoscopy • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) • Computerized tomography (CT) • Positron emission tomograp...

Barrett's esophagus In Barrett's esophagus, normally flat, pink cells are replaced with a thick, red lining with potential for cancerous changes, thought to be triggered by long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the flat pink lining of the swallowing tube that connects the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) becomes damaged by acid reflux, which causes the lining to thicken and become red. Between the esophagus and the stomach is a critically important valve, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Over time, the LES may begin to fail, leading to acid and chemical damage of the esophagus, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is often accompanied by symptoms such as heartburn or regurgitation. In some people, this GERD may trigger a change in the cells lining the lower esophagus, causing Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. Although the risk of developing esophageal cancer is small, it's important to have regular checkups with careful imaging and extensive biopsies of the esophagus to check for precancerous cells (dysplasia). If precancerous cells are discovered, they can be treated to prevent esophageal cancer. Symptoms The development of Barrett's esophagus is most often attributed to long-standing GERD, which may include these signs and symptoms: • Frequent heartburn and regurgitation of stomach contents • Difficulty s...

Esophageal cancer develops in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. Tumors arise in the mucosa, which is the inner lining of the esophagus. There are two types of esophageal cancer, each with different risk factors: Adenocarcinoma Cancers that start in gland cells at the bottom of the esophagus are called adenocarcinomas. This type of cancer is the most common esophageal cancer. It usually occurs closer to the stomach. Chronic acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus and chronic heartburn can increase your risk of developing adenocarcinoma esophageal cancer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma This type of esophageal cancer arises from squamous cells that are primarily in the upper esophagus. Squamous cell tumors are associated with heavy alcohol consumption, smoking and organ transplants. What causes esophageal cancer? Factors that can increase your risk of esophageal cancer include: • Smoking • Heavy alcohol consumption • Chronic heartburn or acid reflux • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) • • What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer? Most esophageal cancer symptoms aren’t noticeable until the cancer is in an advanced stage when it may be hard to treat. Symptoms of esophageal cancer may be caused by other, more common conditions. It is important to receive an accurate diagnosis from a physician if you suspect you may be at risk. Trouble Swallowing The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is trouble swal...

Outreach Programs • Outreach Programs • Home • • • Apply to SHP Choose from 12 allied health programs at School of Health Professions. Research Trainees View open postdoctoral and other research trainee positions. GME Fellowships Learn about our graduate medical education residency and fellowship opportunities. Top Signs of esophageal cancer are often not apparent in its early stages. If you have symptoms, they may include: • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). As an esophageal tumor grows, it may start to block the passage of food. This is often the first symptom of esophageal cancer to appear. • Painful swallowing (odynophagia) • Indigestion and heartburn over long periods of time • Pain, pressure or burning in the throat or chest • Unintended weight loss • Reduced appetite • Black tar-like stools • Anemia, or low levels of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. This can lead to patients feeling run-down and weak. • Vomiting • Regurgitation of food from the esophagus • Persistent hiccups • Chronic cough • Hoarseness • Pneumonia These symptoms do not always mean you have esophageal cancer. However, it is important to discuss any symptoms with your doctor, since they may signal other health problems. Learn more about esophageal cancer: • •

ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about changes and other things that can signal a problem that may need medical care. Use the menu to see other pages. People with esophageal cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs. Symptoms are changes that you can feel in your body. Signs are changes in something measured, like by taking your blood pressure or doing a lab test. Together, symptoms and signs can help describe a medical problem. Sometimes, people with esophageal cancer do not have any of the symptoms and signs described below. Or, the cause of a symptom or sign may be a medical condition that is not cancer. • Difficulty and pain with swallowing, particularly when eating meat, bread, or raw vegetables. As the tumor grows, it can block the pathway to the stomach. Even liquid may be painful to swallow. • Pressure or burning in the chest • Indigestion or heartburn • Vomiting • Frequent choking on food • Unexplained weight loss • Coughing or hoarseness • Pain behind the breastbone or in the throat If you are concerned about any changes you experience, please talk with your health care team. Your doctor will ask how long and how often you’ve been experiencing the symptom(s), in addition to other questions. This is to help figure out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis. If cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms remains an important part of cancer care and treatment. Managing symptoms may also be called palliative care or supportive care. It is often star...

Esophageal cancer tends to be aggressive and can spread to many distant parts of your body. It most commonly spreads to the liver, lymph nodes, and lungs. Cancer that spreads to distant body parts is called metastatic cancer, and the action of spreading to distant areas is called metastasis. About Read on to learn more about the common and rare locations of esophageal cancer metastasis. Esophageal cancer can spread to distant tissues before or after treatment. It tends to develop quickly. Spread to distant tissues is the major reason treatment may fail. About half of people with esophageal cancer have metastasis at the time of diagnosis, and another third develop it after diagnosis. Metastasis most often occurs within In a • liver: 56% • distant lymph nodes: 53% • lung: 50% Other locations that the researchers reported in more than 10% of people included: • peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) • adrenal glands • bone • pleura (the membranes surrounding the lungs) • heart • kidneys Of the 268 people with esophageal cancer in the study: • 54.5% had metastasis in 3 or more locations • 23.9% had metastasis in 2 locations • 21.6% had metastasis in 1 location Number of people Percentage skin 21 13% eye 19 12% muscle 15 9% heart 12 7% skull 11 7% jaw 10 6% kidneys 10 6% bones 8 5% breast 7 4% pancreas 6 4% thyroid 6 4% spleen 6 4% gastrointestinal tract 5 3% nose 4 2% subcutaneous (under skin) 4 2% lymph nodes 4 2% lips or gums 3 2% salivatory glands 2 1% pineal gland ...

There are two main types of esophageal cancer. One type is What Are the Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer? Early on there may be no symptoms. In more advanced cancers, symptoms of esophageal cancer include: • Difficulty or pain when swallowing • Weight loss • Pain in the chest, behind the breastbone • • Hoarseness • What Are Risk Factors for Esophageal Cancer? There are a number of factors which increase a person's risk of developing esophageal cancer. They include: • Smoking or other use of • Heavy alcohol use • Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( • In addition, certain groups -- men, the elderly, and people who are obese -- are at greater risk for esophageal cancer. Risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is higher in white men, but squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is more common in Asian men and men of color. How Is Esophageal Cancer Diagnosed? To diagnose esophageal cancer, your doctor will review your symptoms, medical history, and examine you. In addition, they may order certain Tests for esophageal cancer may include: • Barium swallow X-ray, in which you drink a liquid that coats your esophagus. This makes the esophagus stand out on the X-ray so that your doctor can identify certain problems. • Endoscopy : the doctor passes an endoscope, a thin, lighted tube, down your throat into your esophagus to examine it. Endoscopic • Other tests, including computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, thoracoscopy, and laparoscopy, may be performed...