Not a sore throat, but esophageal cancer... What are the six suspicious symptoms emphasized by an oncologist?

A British oncologist suggested several symptoms that may indicate esophageal cancer.

On the 3rd day (local time), foreign media outlet The Sun reported that symptoms of esophageal cancer, which can be mistaken for simple sore throat caused by a cold, are often overlooked. Jason Chow, an oncologist researching cancer treatment and prevention at Cromwell Hospital in the UK, said, "Difficulty swallowing, a burning sensation, or feeling like food is stuck in the throat are common symptoms of esophageal cancer," and advised, "If these symptoms are observed, you should consult a doctor." He also warned about less well-known symptoms of esophageal cancer. According to him, if symptoms such as ▲acid reflux ▲chronic cough ▲hoarseness ▲coughing up blood ▲dark-colored (black) stool ▲fatigue are detected, it could be esophageal cancer, and a visit to a specialized medical facility is necessary. Esophageal cancer is, literally, cancer that occurs in the esophagus. Many patients do not notice symptoms early on, but early detection is crucial because the five-year survival rate for early-stage esophageal cancer patients reaches 90%. We took a closer look at the symptoms and causes of esophageal cancer emphasized by Chow.

First, if pain occurs in the esophagus when swallowing food, esophageal cancer should be suspected. As esophageal cancer progresses, the lumen of the esophagus narrows, making it difficult to swallow food. Consequently, pain that initially is limited to solid foods often extends to liquids as the disease advances. In addition to pain, if you frequently experience symptoms such as a feeling of food coming back up into the stomach, belching, or vomiting after meals, esophageal cancer should be suspected. This is because the narrowing of the esophagus makes it difficult for food to pass normally. For these reasons, many patients with esophageal cancer experience difficulty eating, leading to rapid weight loss or nutritional imbalances.

Chronic cough is also one of the symptoms of esophageal cancer. As esophageal cancer progresses, the tumor may press against the esophagus and surrounding tissues, causing frequent coughing. Additionally, if the esophageal cancer invades the recurrent laryngeal nerve, it can cause hoarseness or a husky voice, so if your voice is frequently hoarse even without overusing your throat, esophageal cancer should be suspected. Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood mixed with sputum, is also a symptom of esophageal cancer. While there are various causes of hemoptysis such as bronchitis and tuberculosis, in the case of esophageal cancer, the tumor may infiltrate blood vessels within the esophagus, leading to bleeding. Therefore, if hemoptysis occurs along with symptoms like chest pain or acid reflux, it is advisable to visit a specialized medical facility promptly.

If esophageal cancer has already progressed significantly, black stool (melena) may be observed. The cause of melena is generally upper gastrointestinal tract diseases such as the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Since the upper gastrointestinal tract is far from the anus, blood turns black as it passes through the digestive system to the anus. Even if it is not esophageal cancer, melena is a sign of health issues, so it is advisable to diagnose the cause through endoscopy. Lastly, chronic fatigue is also one of the early symptoms of esophageal cancer. When malignant tumors develop in the body, the immune system becomes abnormal, consuming a lot of energy, which can lead to extreme fatigue. However, chronic fatigue can be a symptom of other diseases as well, so if other symptoms mentioned above appear along with chronic fatigue, it can help in early detection of esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer treatment varies depending on the stage of progression and includes surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. If the patient is in a condition capable of undergoing surgery, typically, surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are performed together. In cases where metastasis has already advanced or surgical resection is not possible, treatment may be limited to radiation therapy or chemotherapy alone.

<Source: Health Chosun>