Typical symptoms of esophageal cancer

Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
Updated on September 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

The most typical symptom of esophageal cancer is progressive difficulty swallowing, and a progressive sensation of swallowing obstruction is the most typical symptom. It's actually quite simple; the esophagus is akin to a water pipe or a tubular cavity. Esophageal cancer is like having a tumor grow inside this cavity, similar to something blocking the pipe, which causes the flow of water to be impeded. However, not only water passes through this esophagus, but also food. Therefore, if there's something inside the cavity, both water and food cannot pass through, leading to this difficulty swallowing and discomfort while swallowing.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
42sec home-news-image

Esophageal cancer screening methods

The screening methods for esophageal cancer primarily involve checks of the esophagus, including upper gastrointestinal barium meal and gastroscopy. Gastroscopy, in particular, is a relatively accurate method for examining patients. This is because during a gastroscopy, biopsy samples can be taken, and pathology can definitively determine whether cancer is present. There might be issues regarding whether a patient can undergo a gastroscopy as it requires significant patient tolerance. Therefore, depending on the patient's health condition, if a gastroscopy is not feasible, an upper gastrointestinal barium meal can be conducted first.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
57sec home-news-image

How to treat esophageal cancer metastasis?

The metastasis of esophageal cancer involves several aspects. The first aspect is the metastasis of lymph nodes, including those around the esophagus. If the number of metastatic lymph nodes is small and the tumor's location is suitable for surgical removal, then surgery can still be considered. The second issue involves cases where there is lymph node metastasis but with a higher number and wider spread, making surgical treatment unfeasible. In such cases, radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be considered to treat the esophageal cancer. Of course, there are also some new methods available now, such as immunotherapy, which can be considered along with others. Also, to improve symptoms of esophageal stricture, using an esophageal stent to control the difficulty of swallowing associated with esophageal cancer is also possible.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
30sec home-news-image

The difference between esophagitis and esophageal cancer.

Esophagitis and esophageal cancer have essential differences. Esophagitis is merely an inflammatory disease, which is relatively common in clinical settings and often related to excessive stomach acid, acid reflux, or other physical and chemical irritants. Esophageal cancer, on the other hand, is a malignant tumor. The mechanisms of their development, as well as the differences in prognosis and treatment plans, are very significant.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Zhong Dong
Medical Oncology
58sec home-news-image

Late-stage symptoms of esophageal cancer

What are the symptoms of late-stage esophageal cancer? Because in the early stages of esophageal cancer, the symptoms are often not very obvious, which leads many people to overlook them. By the time they feel very uncomfortable and seek medical advice, the cancer is generally in the middle to late stages. One common symptom in the later stages is progressive difficulty swallowing, which is a main symptom presented by many patients at the time of consultation. However, this symptom generally occurs only when about two-thirds of the esophagus's circumference has been infiltrated by the tumor, making swallowing difficulties a late-stage symptom. Other symptoms of late-stage esophageal cancer include hoarseness if the tumor compresses the recurrent laryngeal nerve, belching if it invades the diaphragmatic nerves, and symptoms like breathing difficulties and coughing if it compresses the airway.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
38sec home-news-image

Typical symptoms of esophageal cancer

The most typical symptom of esophageal cancer is progressive difficulty swallowing, and a progressive sensation of swallowing obstruction is the most typical symptom. It's actually quite simple; the esophagus is akin to a water pipe or a tubular cavity. Esophageal cancer is like having a tumor grow inside this cavity, similar to something blocking the pipe, which causes the flow of water to be impeded. However, not only water passes through this esophagus, but also food. Therefore, if there's something inside the cavity, both water and food cannot pass through, leading to this difficulty swallowing and discomfort while swallowing.