The Early Signs of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. Unfortunately, esophageal cancer often goes undiagnosed until it is in advanced stages, making it difficult to treat.

In this blog post, we will discuss the early signs of esophageal cancer so that you can be more aware of what to look for. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult with your doctor as soon as possible.

One early sign of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia. This can happen because the cancerous tumor is blocking the esophagus, making it difficult for food and liquids to pass through.

Dysphagia may cause you to feel like food is stuck in your throat or chest, and you may start avoiding foods that are difficult to swallow.

Another early sign of esophageal cancer is persistent heartburn or indigestion. This is often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus.

GERD can damage the lining of the esophagus, making it more susceptible to cancer. If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, you should see your Esophageal doctor.

Additional early signs of esophageal cancer include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Coughing up blood

If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult with your Esophageal Cancer surgeon as soon as possible.

Esophageal cancer is a serious disease that can be difficult to treat, but catching it early gives you the best chance for a successful outcome.

Read More: What Causes Esophageal Cancer

Most cases of esophageal cancer are found in the later stages when the disease is more difficult to treat. However, there are ways to find esophageal cancer early.

One way is to have an endoscopy. This is a procedure where a small camera is inserted down your throat so that your surgeon can get a close look at your esophagus. An endoscopy can help find precancerous changes in the esophagus, which can be treated before they turn into cancer.

Another way to find esophageal cancer early is to participate in regular screenings, especially if you are at high risk for the disease.

Factors that increase your risk for esophageal cancer include:

•  Smoking
• Heavy alcohol use
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Barrett’s esophagus (a condition where the lining of the esophagus is damaged by acid reflux)

If you are at high risk for esophageal cancer, your doctor may recommend that you have an endoscopy every one to three years.

The treatment for esophageal cancer depends on the stage of the disease

In the early stages, surgery may be an option. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancerous tumor from the esophagus

In more advanced stages, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used in addition to surgery either prior to surgery (to downstage and make it operable) or later, or as a standalone treatment. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells, while radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells

If you have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, it’s important to discuss all of your treatment options with your Esophageal Cancer doctor so that you can make the best decision for your individual situation.

Esophageal cancer is a serious disease with few early warning signs. However, there are ways to find esophageal cancer early, especially if you are at high risk for the disease.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed in this blog post, please consult with your expert Esophageal Surgeon in Mumbai as soon as possible