What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer

Symptoms of esophageal cancer include difficulty swallowing, pain behind the sternum, weight loss, vomiting, and coughing. If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. Early symptoms are mild and easy to be ignored, but they will gradually worsen as the disease progresses.

1. Dysphagia:

This is a typical symptom of esophageal cancer and one of the earliest manifestations. In the early stages, you may just feel a blockage when swallowing solid food, but as the tumor grows, liquids and fluids may become difficult to swallow. The cause of dysphagia is cancer obstruction or narrowing of the esophagus. If similar symptoms occur, an esophagoscopy should be performed as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Pain and discomfort behind the sternum:

Some patients may feel a dull pain behind the sternum or in the back, which may be caused by stimulation or traction of the cancerous area when eating. The intensity of the pain varies from person to person and is usually more obvious after the disease progresses. Pain behind the sternum may also come from other factors, so if this happens, you need to check as soon as possible to rule out other causes.

3. Esophageal reflux and vomiting:

Patients with mid- to late-stage esophageal cancer may experience food regurgitation or vomiting, especially after eating. This is because cancerous tissue blocks the normal passage of food, causing food to remain in the esophagus. This symptom may be accompanied by acid reflux, odor, and other problems.

4. Weight loss and fatigue:

Due to long-term insufficient nutrition intake caused by esophageal cancer, patients usually experience systemic symptoms such as significant weight loss and fatigue. This situation is particularly common in the middle and late stages, and is also an important sign that malignant tumors affect metabolic function.

5. Other atypical manifestations:

Some patients may have a persistent cough, especially when the cancer invades the surrounding tissues or compresses the recurrent laryngeal nerve. They may also experience hoarseness, difficulty breathing, etc. Patients in the middle and late stages may even experience swollen lymph nodes in the neck, as the cancer cells may have metastasized.

The above symptoms of esophageal cancer need to be alerted and the cause should be determined as soon as possible through examination. After diagnosis, treatment options should be selected according to the condition, such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy. In daily life, attention should also be paid to regular diet, avoid stimulation by tobacco and alcohol, and have regular physical examinations. People with high-risk factors should pay more attention to relevant preventive measures.