What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?
Most people with esophageal cancer do not complain of symptoms until very late in the course of the disease. Esophageal cancer usually causes symptoms in both women and men only when the tumor is so large that it significantly narrows the esophagus or affects other organs such as the bone or lungs.
Because esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor, it is often accompanied by common signs of cancer such as weight loss, fever, night sweats, weakness, fatigue or a drop in performance.
The various esophageal cancer signs in order of frequency are:
Difficulty swallowing
Of course, not every person with dysphagia suffers from esophageal cancer. There are numerous other diseases that cause similar complaints.
Another disorder associated with swallowing difficulties is known as achalasia. In this disorder, the lower esophageal sphincter is constantly strained. In this rare disorder, it becomes increasingly difficult for the food pulp to pass into the stomach, and eventually it does not pass at all.
In any case, all people with increasing swallowing difficulties at this age are recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible. This will rule out a malignant tumor or, if necessary, quickly initiate treatment.
Weight loss
In around 70 percent of cases, esophageal cancer is accompanied by significant weight loss. However, many other cancers also cause sufferers to lose a relatively large amount of weight in a short period of time.
Pain behind the breastbone
Pain behind the sternum is also possible in the context of other diseases of the esophagus and occurs, for example, during a heart attack.
Regurgitation
In other diseases such as reflux disease or muscular bulges of the esophagus, doctors sometimes observe similar symptoms.
Salivation
Some patients with esophageal cancer suffer from increased salivation (hypersalivation). This occurs when the body perceives the tumor in the esophagus as a foreign body or leftover food. The salivary glands then produce increased secretions to flush them down.
Cough and hoarseness
If tumor or lymph nodes affected by it in the throat area press on the larynx and vocal cords, esophageal cancer causes a hoarse voice. Coughing and hoarseness also occur with harmless conditions such as a cold. If other esophageal cancer symptoms listed here appear at the same time or persist for a long time, it’s time to rule out esophageal cancer.
Bleeding
Digestive complaints
Digestive symptoms such as nausea, bloating, belching or flatulence are also sometimes experienced by those with esophageal cancer.
Palpable lumps
How to recognize esophageal cancer?
Most of the symptoms mentioned are very non-specific. They may have completely different causes than esophageal cancer. Therefore, early clarification belongs in medical hands. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you physically. He or she will use imaging techniques to confirm the diagnosis.
You will find everything you need to know about medical examinations and diagnoses in the article on esophageal cancer.
