Symptoms of esophageal cancer spread

Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
Updated on September 01, 2024
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The most typical symptom of esophageal cancer, especially in its advanced stages, is difficulty swallowing. As esophageal cancer progresses, patients may further experience difficulty swallowing semi-liquid food, eventually leading to difficulty swallowing even water and saliva. Additionally, as the cancer develops, it might compress the trachea, resulting in symptoms like sticky sputum and difficulty in expectorating. Consequently, due to difficulties in eating, progressive severe weight loss and fatigue often occur. Furthermore, some patients may also experience chest or back pain, and in some cases, an esophageal-tracheal fistula might occur, leading to severe respiratory difficulties and intense choking. Moreover, after advanced esophageal cancer has spread, it may also cause jaundice, ascites, and can metastasize to other parts of the body, potentially resulting in various symptoms.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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What are the precancerous lesions of esophageal cancer?

The most common precancerous lesion of esophageal cancer is Barret's esophagus, which is formed by the chronic stimulation of the esophageal epithelium by chronic reflux esophagitis. Of course, this includes some chronic esophageal ulcers and long-term leukoplakia of the esophagus. These recurrent esophageal ulcers could potentially transform into atypical hyperplasia and then further into carcinoma in situ. However, the progression from precancerous lesions to actual cancer can take a very long time, possibly many years or even over a decade. Therefore, having a precancerous lesion does not necessarily lead to esophageal cancer.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?

The symptoms of esophageal cancer generally include progressive difficulty in swallowing, because the esophagus itself is a tubular cavity, similar to a water pipe. Esophageal cancer typically forms a tumor within this tubular cavity, creating an obstruction. Consequently, the most common symptoms include difficulty swallowing and a sensation of blockage during eating, since food must pass through the esophagus. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, heartburn, and pain below the breastbone. Moreover, the difficulty in swallowing generally worsens progressively, as the tumor grows from small to large, increasingly narrowing the esophagus and exacerbating the swallowing difficulties.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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Early symptoms of esophageal cancer

The early symptoms of esophageal cancer are not very typical. In the early stages, there may be discomfort, a sensation of blockage, or burning and pinching feelings during swallowing. There might also be pain behind the breastbone. Other atypical gastrointestinal symptoms can include acid reflux, heartburn, belching, hiccups, and vomiting. However, as esophageal cancer progresses, the most typical symptom becomes difficulty swallowing, obstruction, and the sensation that swallowed items cannot pass down, including severe cases where even drinking water feels obstructed and leads to vomiting.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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What are the early signs of esophageal cancer?

The early symptoms of esophageal cancer are often nonspecific and intermittent, thus many patients do not take them seriously and delay the condition. Clinically, common early symptoms of esophageal cancer include a choking sensation when swallowing food, which is more noticeable in patients who swallow dry food or other foods that are not well chewed in large bites. Additionally, there is discomfort or a feeling of fullness behind the sternum. Thirdly, there is a sensation of a foreign body in the esophagus, with about 20% of patients experiencing this sensation when swallowing, as well as dryness and a feeling of tightness in the throat. Furthermore, there is a slow passage and a sense of retention of food.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
59sec home-news-image

Symptoms of esophageal cancer spread

The most typical symptom of esophageal cancer, especially in its advanced stages, is difficulty swallowing. As esophageal cancer progresses, patients may further experience difficulty swallowing semi-liquid food, eventually leading to difficulty swallowing even water and saliva. Additionally, as the cancer develops, it might compress the trachea, resulting in symptoms like sticky sputum and difficulty in expectorating. Consequently, due to difficulties in eating, progressive severe weight loss and fatigue often occur. Furthermore, some patients may also experience chest or back pain, and in some cases, an esophageal-tracheal fistula might occur, leading to severe respiratory difficulties and intense choking. Moreover, after advanced esophageal cancer has spread, it may also cause jaundice, ascites, and can metastasize to other parts of the body, potentially resulting in various symptoms.