1. Esophageal cancerCancer of the esophagus
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    MSN Health
     

  2. Esophageal cancer - Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms.

    Symptoms include:

    • Difficulty in swallowing
    • Unintentional weight loss
    • Chest pain
    • Heart burn
    • Indigestion
    • Coughing
    • Hoarse voice

    See more

    Causes

    Verified Expert

    The following factors increase risk of esophageal cancer:

    • The exact cause is unknown. It develops when there is a mutation in the DNA which makes cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner.
    • Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
    • Smoking
    • Barrett's esophagus -Having precancerous changes in the cells of the esophagus
    • Obesity
    • Consumption of alcohol
    • Undergoing radiation therapy

    See more

    Prevention

    Verified Expert

    An assured way to prevent esophageal cancer is unknown. The precaution to reduce risks are:

    • Quit smoking
    • Stop drinking alcohol
    • Exercise regularly
    • If gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is experienced, consult doctor immediately
    • Consume vitamin rich foods

    See more

    Complications

    Verified Expert

    Complications of esophageal cancer include:

    • Difficulty in swallowing
    • Tracheo-esophageal fistulas i.e., holes which develop in the area between the windpipe and the esophagus
    • Anemia
    • Weight loss
    • Bleeding in the esophagus
    • Aspiration pneumonia- a lung infection caused by breathing in foreign material
    • Metastases- cancer spreads to nearby organs such as lungs, liver

    See more
    esophageal cancer_en
    Microsoft Start Health

    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Treatment involves removal of tumor through surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

    Medication

    Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill the cancer cells and can be used at different times during treatment. Often as a combination with radiation therapy.

    Carboplatin/Paclitaxel . Cisplatin/5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) . Epirubicin/Cisplatin/5-FU (ECF) . Docetaxel/ Cisplatin/5-FU (DCF)

    See more
    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Symptoms
    Causes
    Prevention
    What does cancer look like in the esophagus?
    Complications
    Health guide
    Treatment
     

  1. Esophageal cancer

    Content medically reviewed by
    Dr. Rakshith Bharadwajverified specialist
    MD, Internal Medicine
    View full profile onLinkedIn logoLinkedIn
    Symptoms & Reports
    Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms.

    Symptoms include:

    • Difficulty in swallowing
    • Unintentional weight loss
    • Chest pain
    • Heart burn
    • Indigestion
    • Coughing
    • Hoarse voice

    Common symptoms and their severity as reported by people on Patientslikeme.

    Symptoms
    Severity Graph
    (37)
    (36)
    (36)
    (35)
    (10)
    Last Update : 2024-05-13.
    Seve...
    Mode...
    Mild
    None
    Causes

    The following factors increase risk of esophageal cancer:

    • The exact cause is unknown. It develops when there is a mutation in the DNA which makes cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner.
    • Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
    • Smoking
    • Barrett's esophagus -Having precancerous changes in the cells of the esophagus
    • Obesity
    • Consumption of alcohol
    • Undergoing radiation therapy

    Prevention

    An assured way to prevent esophageal cancer is unknown. The precaution to reduce risks are:

    • Quit smoking
    • Stop drinking alcohol
    • Exercise regularly
    • If gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is experienced, consult doctor immediately
    • Consume vitamin rich foods

    Complications

    Complications of esophageal cancer include:

    • Difficulty in swallowing
    • Tracheo-esophageal fistulas i.e., holes which develop in the area between the windpipe and the esophagus
    • Anemia
    • Weight loss
    • Bleeding in the esophagus
    • Aspiration pneumonia- a lung infection caused by breathing in foreign material
    • Metastases- cancer spreads to nearby organs such as lungs, liver

    Source: Focus Medica . For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Learn more
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  2. People also ask
    What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?
    If you have symptoms, they may include: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). As an esophageal tumor grows, it may start to block the passage of food. This is often the first symptom of esophageal cancer to appear. Anemia, or low levels of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.

    14 Top Esophageal Cancer Symptoms & Signs - MD Anderson Cancer C…

    mdanderson.org
    Lower back pain can be a symptom of esophageal cancer?

    Dr. Marcelle Freire

    Doctor of Medicine · 3 years of exp

    Esophageal cancer is a disordered proliferation of cells originating in the esophagus that have the property of invading adjacent tissues and also of spreading throughout the body, establishing distant neoplastic implants. A localized tumor is not expected to have symptoms such as low back pain, being more common to present with difficulty swallowing, weight loss, early feeling of satiety when eating or even anemia. However, like any neoplasm, when untreated, it can lead to complications, and the main systemic complications of esophageal cancer are metastases and cachexia. In this context, if there is any metastasis to the region, it would be possible to present low back pain but, again, it is not the most common presentation of esophageal cancer, and it is important to investigate differential diagnoses for low back pain.
    2 more answers
    microsoftstart.msn.com
    What does cancer look like in the esophagus?
    Cancer cells in the esophagus can sometimes travel to the liver and grow there. When cancer cells do this, it’s called metastasis. To doctors, the cancer cells in the new place look just like the ones from the esophagus. Cancer is always named for the place where it starts.

    What to Do if You Have Esophagus Cancer

    cancer.org
    What is esophageal cancer?
    Esophageal cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the esophagus. The esophagus is a long, hollow tube that runs from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus helps move swallowed food from the back of the throat to the stomach to be digested. Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus.

    Esophageal cancer - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

    mayoclinic.org
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  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

    Esophageal cancer - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

  4. MD Anderson Cancer Center
    https://www.mdanderson.org/cancer-types/esophageal...

    14 Top Esophageal Cancer Symptoms & Signs - MD Anderson …

  5. American Cancer Society
    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/esophagus...

    Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer | Esophagus Cancer Signs

  6. Cleveland Clinic
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6137

    Esophageal Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Cleveland …

  7. MD Anderson Cancer Center
    https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/10-things-to...

    Esophageal cancer: 10 things to know - MD Anderson Cancer Center

  8. What are the signs of esophagus cancer?

    Answered by verified global health professionals

    Dr. Anet Varghese

    Dr. Anet Varghese community page Doctor of Medicine (MBBS) · 1 years of exp

    Usually, esophageal cancer does not produce noticeable symptoms until the tumor has grown large enough to interfere with eating, swallowing or digesting food. In many cases, the first warning sign is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), which can create a sensation that food is lodged in the throat. Other signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Weight loss without trying Chest pain, pressure or burning ... Read more

    Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
    Was this helpful?
  9. WebMD
    https://www.webmd.com/cancer/esophageal-cancer

    Esophageal Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

  10. Verywell Health
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/sympto…

    Esophageal Cancer: Signs and Symptoms - Verywell …

    WEBAug 22, 2022 · Esophageal cancer symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, regurgitating food, heartburn, weight loss, and a persistent cough. Less common symptoms such as hiccups, …

  11. Johns Hopkins Medicine
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/.../esophageal-cancer

    Esophageal Cancer - Johns Hopkins Medicine

  12. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
    https://www.mskcc.org/.../symptoms-esophageal

    Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer - Memorial Sloan Kettering …

  13. American Cancer Society
    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/esophagus...

    What to Do if You Have Esophagus Cancer