Esophageal cancer

In the early stages, there are usually no symptoms of esophageal cancer. The development of symptoms usually relates to a tumor partially blocking the pipe, making swallowing more difficult (dysphagia). This may feel like food gets stuck in the throat and as it goes down – solid food is the most difficult to start; with increasing obstruction, liquids may also be difficult to swallow easily.

Vomiting after eating or vomiting blood, pain when swallowing, or persistent cough may be additional symptoms. Difficulties with eating can affect appetite and cause weight loss.

Other symptoms include a hoarse voice or worsening acid reflux.

Your doctor can refer you for a test to look inside your esophagus called an endoscopy. During the procedure, a long thin tube the size of a pen, with a camera on the end, is passed from your mouth to your food pipe. This gives the doctor a clear view of any obstruction or disrupted tissue.

You will be given some local anesthetic and sedative to make you feel more at ease, but you will be awake throughout. It may be uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. A sample of cells called a biopsy may be taken and sent off for further examination.

Depending on your risk factors, you should aim to lose weight, stop smoking and drink alcohol only in moderation if these apply to you. Avoid piping hot food and drink, as they can cause long-term damage to your esophagus.

It’s worth bearing in mind that many esophageal cancers are preventable, so it’s very important to control any factors you can, like lifestyle factors.

Treatment depends on where the tumor is, how large it is, whether it has spread to other areas of the body and your general health. Options include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy as well as newer treatment options if appropriate such as monoclonal antibodies and photodynamic therapy.