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Signs And Symptoms Of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. When cancer develops, it usually occurs in the innermost layer of the esophagus and then spreads outward. 

Esophageal cancer does not usually cause symptoms until the later stages. Possible symptoms include trouble swallowing, vomiting, and chest pain. It can also lead to unintended weight loss. Esophageal cancer makes up about 1% of all cancers in the United States. 

The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is trouble swallowing (dysphagia). Unfortunately, symptoms like this do not start until the later stages of the disease. Esophageal cancer does not cause symptoms in the early stages.  As cancer cells grow and multiply in the esophagus, they form a mass of cells called a tumor. When the tumor grows, it can start to cause problems with eating and swallowing. At first, you may feel like food is getting stuck in your throat when you eat. You may notice yourself trying to compensate by taking smaller bites of food or sipping water after each bite.  As cancer progresses, it will get harder to swallow. In response to this, your body will start to produce more saliva to help food pass through the esophagus. You may notice an increase in the amount of spit or mucus in your mouth.  Trouble swallowing can lead to vomiting. When food becomes lodged in your esophagus, your body may vomit to remove it and prevent trouble breathing.  It is common for people with esophageal cancer to lose weight without trying to. This is because they end up eating less due to trouble swallowing. Vomiting after meals also contributes to weight loss. If you notice that you are vomiting when you try to eat, see your healthcare provider right away.  Many people with esophageal cancer notice a sensation of pain or burning in their chests. This feeling is a common symptom of acid reflux, so many people ignore it. It is important to note that the majority of people with heartburn symptoms simply have heartburn and not cancer.  Esophageal cancer causes chest pain when the tumor grows big enough to block food. As you eat, you may feel discomfort or pain as food tries to pass around the tumor. Esophageal cancer can also lead to a chronic cough or hoarseness.  Esophageal cancer can cause bleeding in the esophagus. When this happens, the blood travels through your digestive system and causes your stool to appear black.  Over time, bleeding can lead to a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). A common sign of anemia is daytime sleepiness or fatigue.  People assigned male at birth are much more likely to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer than those assigned female. This may be because men are typically more likely to use tobacco and alcohol, two risk factors for esophageal cancer. Because esophageal cancer does not cause symptoms in the early stages, it is critical to see your healthcare provider as soon as you develop symptoms. Your provider may refer you to an oncologist, a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer, for testing and treatment.  See your provider if you develop any of the following symptoms: It is especially important to get your symptoms checked out if you have any known risk factors for esophageal cancer, including: Being assigned male at birth Age over 55 Tobacco use Frequent or excessive alcohol use  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Obesity History of cancer A diet rich in processed meats  History of a disease that affects the esophagus including Barrett's esophagus, achalasia, or tylosis Human papillomvirus (HPV) Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Common symptoms include difficulty swallowing, vomiting, unintended weight loss, chest pain, heartburn, black stool, and fatigue.  Unfortunately, esophageal cancer does not usually cause symptoms until the later stages when it is more difficult to treat. See your healthcare provider as soon as you develop any signs or symptoms of esophageal cancer. 

Symptoms Of Mouth Cancer

you have an mouth ulcer that has lasted more than 3 weeks

you have a lump in your mouth, on your lip, on your neck or in your throat

you have a red or white patch in your mouth

you have pain in your mouth that's not going away

you're having difficulty swallowing or speaking

you have a hoarse (croaky) voice that does not go away

A dentist can also help with ulcers, lumps, patches or pain in your mouth.

13 Potential Cancer Symptoms You Should Get Checked Out

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We all know that the earlier cancer is detected, the better the chance of survival. Yet research has found half of UK adults with a possible cancer symptom don't contact their GP within six months.

A YouGov poll of 2,468 people for Cancer Research UK  (CRUK cancerresearchuk.Org) found just 48 per cent of those who'd experienced a red flag symptom, such as unexplained weight loss and a new or unusual lump, contacted their GP within half a year.

"You might think of red flag symptoms like coughing up blood or unexplained bleeding as hard to ignore, but this research shows that many do," says Dr Julie Sharp, CRUK's head of health and patient involvement.

She points out that people from deprived backgrounds in particular face more barriers to seeking help, and stresses: "Whether it's a red flag symptom or not, if you notice a change to your health that's unusual for you or isn't going away, contact your GP as soon as you can. Your doctor is there for you and wants to hear about any concerns."

Not telling a doctor about unusual health changes may reduce the chances of an early cancer diagnosis. When diagnosed at stage one – the earliest stage – more than nine in 10 (92%) people will survive bowel cancer for five years or more. It's one in 10 (10%) when diagnosed at stage four – the latest stage.

Sharp says anyone who has any of the following symptoms should have them checked by a doctor immediately. She stresses that in most cases it won't be cancer, but if it is, spotting it early can make a real difference and possibly save your life.

1. Unexplained pain

Pain is a sign that something's wrong, and while it's easy to just hope it'll go away, if it persists it's important to get it checked out. "As we get older, it's more common to experience aches and pains," says Sharp. "But unexplained pain could be a sign of something more serious."

2.  Heavy night sweats

Sharp says there are many reasons you might sweat at night, including infections, certain medications, or going through the menopause. However, very heavy, drenching night sweats can also be a sign of several cancers, including leukaemia and lymphoma.

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3. Unexplained weight loss

There are, of course, many reasons for unexplained weight loss other than  cancer, including gut and thyroid problems. But Sharp says that while small weight changes over time are normal, if you lose a noticeable amount of weight without trying to, you should tell your doctor.

4.  Unusual lumps or swelling

Lumps are one of the most well-known cancer symptoms, and while they can be caused by many less serious issues like an injury, Sharp stresses that persistent lumps or swelling in any part of the body, including the neck, armpit, stomach, groin, chest, breast or testicle, should be taken seriously.

5. Fatigue

Tiredness can, of course, be caused by many things, including stress, auto-immune problems, or simply having trouble sleeping. "But if you're feeling tired for no clear reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong," says Sharp.

6. Unexplained bleeding

Unexplained bleeding in poo, wee or vomit, coughing up blood, or any unexplained vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause, should be checked by a doctor, says Sharp, who explains that the blood may look red, brown or black. Such bleeding can often be caused by something far less serious than cancer, but you should always report it to your doctor, she stresses.

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7. Skin changes

These can include a sore that won't heal, a new mole or changes to a mole's size, shape or colour, plus crustiness, itching or bleeding. Look at what doctors call the ABCDE Checklist to help you spot key changes. In addition, Sharp says any unusual change in a patch of skin or a nail should be checked by a doctor.

8. Digestive and eating problems

Problems including difficulty swallowing, unusual heartburn or indigestion or appetite loss can be red flag symptoms of cancer, says Sharp, although they can also be caused by lots of other things, including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), stomach ulcers, or simply eating a spicy meal. But swallowing problems that don't go away may be a sign of head and neck cancers, and persistent indigestion that can't be explained could be a sign of a number of cancers including pancreatic, stomach and oesophageal.

Appetite loss is also a sign of many different cancers, and Sharp says "Appetite loss can happen for many different reasons – speak to your doctor if you've noticed you're not as hungry as usual and it's not getting any better."

9. Hoarse voice, cough or breathlessness

It's really common to have a hoarse voice if you've had a cold, but the NHS says if you're hoarse for more than three weeks you should see a doctor, as it's a possible sign of throat cancer. Similarly, Sharp says if you have an unexplained cough that doesn't go away in a few weeks or gets worse, it could be a sign of lung cancer, and if you're getting more breathless than usual, tell your doctor – while it might just be related to an infection or other heart or lung problems, it could be a cancer sign.

10. Toilleting changes

Sharp says  if you experience a change in bowel habits including constipation, looser poo or pooing more often, having problems weeing, such as needing to go more often or urgently, experiencing pain when weeing, or not being able to go when you need to, or if there's blood in your wee or poo, you should see a doctor. While such symptoms could be a sign of bowel or bladder cancer, they could easily be something far less serious.  Sharp says: "These symptoms can all be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it's best to get them checked out."

11. Persistent mouth ulcer

Although mouth ulcers are common, especially when you're run down, they usually get better within about two weeks. But Sharp says an ulcer or red or white patch that doesn't heal after three weeks should be reported to your doctor or dentist.

12. Unusual breast changes

It's not just a lump that can be a breast cancer symptom – look out for any change in the size, shape or feel of your breast, or any skin changes, redness, or pain in the breast. Sharp says fluid – which may be blood-stained – leaking from the nipple could also be a sign of cancer.

13.  Persistent bloating

Bloating is another symptom that's very common and usually not serious. However, while Sharp says it's common to experience a bloated or swollen tummy that comes and goes, if you feel bloated most days, even if it's intermittent, talk to your doctor. Bloating can be a sign of several cancers, but particularly ovarian.

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