Common Signs and Symptoms
Esophageal cancers usually cause symptoms that lead to a diagnosis. However, most esophageal cancers cause no symptoms until they reach an advanced stage.
Often, people wonder about early warning signs of esophageal cancer. Early diagnosis in people without symptoms is rare, as the cancer is usually found during tests for other medical purposes. Common symptoms of esophagus cancer can include the following:
Trouble Swallowing
The most common symptom of esophagus cancer, trouble swallowing is mild when it starts and worsens over time. As the cancer grows larger, the opening of the esophagus shrinks.
Foods like bread and meat may get stuck in the throat, and the body will produce more saliva to help pass food through the esophagus to the stomach. If the cancer continues to spread, liquids may become hard to swallow.
Weight Loss
Fifty percent of people with esophagus cancer lose weight unintentionally due to swallowing problems. They typically do not eat enough to maintain a healthy weight.
Chest Pain
Discomfort in the chest may point to esophageal cancer, but it is more common in patients with heartburn and seldom viewed as an indication of esophagus cancer. Chest pain while swallowing is common in cases where a tumor has grown large enough to block the passage of food.
Additional Symptoms
Experiencing one or more of the following symptoms does not mean you have esophageal cancer. However, it’s important to have these symptoms checked by your doctor:
- Chronic cough
- Hiccups
- Hoarse throat
- Vomiting
- Esophageal bleeding
