Esophageal Cancer Signs and Symptoms
It's unusual to have signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer in the early stages of the disease. When cancer is more advanced, you may experience:
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Although this is the most common symptom of esophageal cancer, it usually doesn't appear until a tumor has grown large enough to narrow your esophagus to about half its normal width. At this point, meat and bread may be nearly impossible to swallow, and you may unconsciously change your eating habits, chewing more slowly and carefully or switching to softer foods. In time, even liquids may be hard to swallow.
Severe, unintentional weight loss. As eating becomes more difficult, you may not consume enough calories to maintain your weight. In addition, cancer in general can cause weight loss and muscle wasting because it changes the way your body metabolizes nutrients.
Pain in your throat, in your mid-chest or between your shoulder blades. Although not common, you sometimes might have pain when you swallow or discomfort or burning behind your breastbone.
Hoarseness, a chronic cough and sometimes coughing of blood. These symptoms usually don't appear until cancer is quite advanced.
Esophageal Cancer Signs and Symptoms
