Esophageal cancer symptoms usually do not occur until the disease has progressed further (“dull cancer”). In the first stages of the disease, patients do not notice any changes. It is only later that esophageal cancer signs such as difficulty swallowing and weight loss occur – although not necessarily in all those affected. Depending on how the tumor grows, other symptoms may also appear. Here you read everything important about esophageal cancer symptoms.
Esophageal Cancer Symptoms: General
Most people with esophageal cancer complain of symptoms very late in the disease process. Esophageal cancer usually causes discomfort only when the tumor is so large that it significantly narrows the esophagus or affects other organs such as the bone or lungs. In addition, the esophageal cancer symptoms are very nonspecific. This means that they can also occur in many other diseases. They are therefore often not taken seriously by those affected – which is fatal, as a late diagnosis significantly reduces the chances of recovery.
Since esophageal carcinoma is a malignant tumor, it is often associated with common signs of cancer such as weight loss, fever, night sweats, weakness, fatigue, or a performance dip.
The different esophageal cancer signs in the order of their frequency are:
Esophageal cancer symptoms: difficulty swallowing
Dysphagia is also referred to by physicians as dysphagia (Greek “dys” – not and “phagein” – eat). They arise when the tumor narrows the esophagus by at least 50 percent. Dysphagia is the most common and typical esophageal cancer symptom. About 87 percent of sufferers suffer from dysphagia during their illness. Therefore, this disease sign is also considered the leading symptom of esophageal cancer. The difficulty swallowing occurs especially when eating dry.
Of course, not every person with swallowing disorder suffers from an esophageal carcinoma. There are many other diseases that cause similar symptoms. In people under the age of 45, difficulty in swallowing is most often caused by gastric acid escaping into the esophagus, where it ignites the mucous membrane (reflux oesophagitis). In this age group, dysphagia also develops more often when the muscles of the esophagus do not contract properly. Then the transport of food into the stomach is difficult. Another disorder associated with dysphagia is achalasia. In this disease, the lower esophageal sphincter (esophageal sphincter) is constantly tense. The porridge is increasingly difficult in this rare disease and finally not in the stomach.
For people over the age of 45 who suffer from continuously increasing, painless dysphagia, the likelihood of esophageal cancer is higher. Of course, diseases of the central nervous system such as a stroke, Parkinson’s disease or craniocerebral trauma can cause similar symptoms. In any case, all people with increasing swallowing difficulties at this age are advised to introduce themselves to a doctor as soon as possible, This can exclude a malignant tumor or, if necessary, initiate treatment quickly.
Esophageal cancer symptoms: weight loss
In some cases, esophageal carcinoma narrows the esophagus to such an extent that people with little or no solid food can eat it. They often lose a lot of body weight in a few weeks. Especially in the elderly, an unwanted weight loss should always be clarified by a doctor. Esophageal cancer is associated with significant weight loss in about 70 percent of cases. But many other cancers also cause those affected to lose relatively much weight in a short time.
Esophageal cancer symptoms: pain
About 46 percent of patients with esophageal cancer experience pain behind the sternum. They occur especially when the person is swallowing. When the tumor reaches a certain size, it presses on nerve fibers, which transmit the information “pain” to the brain. When swallowing, muscle tension builds up even greater pressure on these nerves. Because of this, some sufferers only feel pain when they swallow something down. Pain behind the sternum can also occur in the context of other diseases of the esophagus, but also in a heart attack.
Esophageal cancer symptoms: regurgitation
About 30 percent of patients with esophageal cancer report that they often choke the food pulp from the esophagus back into the mouth (regurgitation). Above all, solid food can not pass the esophagus well in a narrowing and is therefore transported back up. Unlike vomiting, regurgitation in oesophageal cancer is not preceded by nausea, as it is not caused by the vomiting center in the brain but by the mechanical passage obstruction in the esophagus. In other diseases, such as reflux disease or muscle esophageal eructations, similar symptoms are sometimes observed.
Esophageal cancer symptoms: salivation
Some patients with esophageal cancer suffer from increased salivation (hypersalivation). It occurs when the body perceives the tumor in the esophagus as a foreign body or food particles. The salivary glands then produce more secretions to flush them down.
Esophageal cancer symptoms: coughing and hoarseness
If an esophageal carcinoma occurs in the upper part of the esophagus, it can trigger a coughing sensation. It is based on a body reflex that normally prevents leftover food or debris from remaining in the trachea or bronchi.
Pressing tumor or affected lymph nodes in the neck area on the larynx and vocal cords, causing esophageal cancer a hoarse voice. Of course, coughing and hoarseness also occur in harmless illnesses such as a cold. It is not until other esophageal cancer symptoms appear or persist for a long time that it is time to eliminate esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer symptoms: palpable nodes
When esophageal cancer is well advanced, enlarged nodes can sometimes be felt along the esophagus. This may be the original malignant tumor itself. It can also be enlarged lymph nodes. They may be enlarged due to the general disease process when malignant cells have spread and grow in these lymph nodes.
Esophageal Cancer Symptoms: Doctor’s visit
Most esophageal cancer symptoms are very nonspecific. They can also have many other causes. You should always consult a doctor for persistent dysphagia or the combination of several potential esophageal cancer symptoms. This is especially true for people over 45 who have difficulty swallowing. Unfortunately, esophageal cancer is often diagnosed late. As a result, therapeutic measures are often very extensive and the prognosis is poor. The chances of recovery are significantly better when the Esophageal cancer symptoms be properly interpreted at an early stage of the disease.