What You Need to Know about Esophageal Cancer

Symptoms

Very small tumors in the esophagus usually do not cause symptoms. As the tumor grows, the most common symptom is difficulty in swallowing. The person may have a feeling of fullness, pressure, or burning as food goes down the esophagus. Also, it may feel as if food gets stuck behind the breastbone. Problems with swallowing may come and go. At first, they may be noticed mainly when the person eats meat, bread, or coarse foods, such as raw vegetables. As the tumor grows larger and the pathway to the stomach becomes narrower, other foods--even liquids--may be hard to swallow, and swallowing may be painful. Cancer of the esophagus can also cause indigestion, heartburn, vomiting, and frequent choking on food. Because of these problems, weight loss is common.

Sometimes a tumor in the esophagus causes coughing or hoarseness. It can also cause pain behind the breastbone or in the throat.

Any of these symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious health problems. Only a doctor can tell for sure. People with symptoms like these often see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive tract.

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