What to do if you have cough in the late stage of esophageal cancer

What should I do if I have cough in the late stage of esophageal cancer?

The typical symptom of esophageal cancer is progressive dysphagia, which first makes it difficult to swallow dry food, then semi-fluid food, and finally water and saliva. Mucous sputum is often vomited, which is the secretion of swallowed saliva and esophagus. The patient gradually loses weight, becomes dehydrated, and becomes weak. Continuous chest pain or back pain is a late symptom, and the cancer has invaded the tissue outside the esophagus. When the inflammatory edema caused by cancer obstruction temporarily subsides or part of the cancer falls off, the obstruction symptoms can be temporarily relieved, which is often mistaken for improvement. If the cancer invades the recurrent laryngeal nerve, hoarseness may occur; if the cervical sympathetic ganglia are compressed, Horner syndrome may occur; if it invades the trachea and bronchi, esophageal, tracheal or bronchial fistulas may form, severe coughing when swallowing water or food, and respiratory infections. Eventually, a cachectic state occurs. If there is metastasis to organs such as the liver and brain, jaundice, abdominal effusion, coma, etc. may occur.

The high morbidity and mortality rates of advanced esophageal cancer in my country mean that its treatment effect is poor. Advanced esophageal cancer is divided into local treatment and systemic treatment. If esophageal cancer metastasizes, the metastatic lesions are well controlled, and the local lesions are severe, local radiotherapy can be performed on the basis of systemic treatment to relieve symptoms; if the cause is mainly concentrated in the lungs, liver, and bones, and there is no local eating disorder, systemic chemotherapy is required. Please combine the specific medication with clinical practice and follow the doctor's face-to-face consultation and guidance.