Signs and Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer

 

Most people with esophageal (esophagus) cancer are diagnosed because they have symptoms. In a small number of people, the cancer is found by accident because of tests done for other medical problems.

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Unfortunately, most esophageal cancers don’t cause symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage, when they are often harder to treat.

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https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/esophagus-cancer/causes-risks-prevention.html

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General symptoms

The most common symptoms of esophageal cancer are:

• Trouble swallowing

• Chest pain or heartburn

• Weight loss

• Hoarseness

• Chronic cough

• Vomiting after eating

• Feeling tired

• Bone pain (if cancer has spread to the bone)

• Blood in vomit, or black/tarry stool (if the cancer is bleeding)

Having one or more symptoms does not mean you have esophageal cancer. In fact, many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by other conditions. Still, if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they don’t go away or get worse, have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

 

Risk factors for esophageal cancer

A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like your age or family history, can’t be changed.

Some known risk factors for esophageal cancer are:

• Older age

• Being male

• Using tobacco

• Drinking alcohol

• Having excess body weight

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or just reflux

• Barrett’s esophagus

• Certain inherited syndromes

 

Can esophageal cancer be prevented?

Not all esophageal cancers can be prevented, but you can lower your risk of developing this disease by avoiding certain risk factors.

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Avoid tobacco and alcohol.

Watch your body weight, eat a healthy diet, and stay active.

Get treated for reflux or Barrett’s esophagus.

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