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Esophageal cancer – Early symptoms and management

Esophageal cancer – Early symptoms and management

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Tumors arise in the mucosa region of the esophagus, which is the inner lining. Early detection of this cancer can help successfully treat the disease, so observing early signs and symptoms is essential. Also, here are some of the changes in the body to observe, possible treatment options, and prevention tips for the disease.

Trouble swallowing
Also known as dysphagia, this is a prevalent symptom of esophageal cancer, where swallowing becomes a difficult task. It usually feels like food is stuck in the chest, and also, for some people, swallowing becomes impossible, and they start to choke. As the cancer spreads, the esophagus narrows down with time, making it even more difficult to swallow. This also increases the intensity of pain in the esophagus. Those suffering from this condition are asked to switch to smaller meals, eat soft foods, and try to eat less solid foods. Getting the symptoms checked by the doctor immediately is recommended so that early detection of the disease can be done and treatment for the same can be started.

Chronic chest pain
Chronic pain is another common early warning sign of esophageal cancer, like chronic heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This chest pain feels like a burning sensation in the middle of the chest and becomes even more prominent with this type of cancer. Another sign to observe is that some people may experience chest pain right after swallowing the food in a few seconds. This usually happens when the food reaches the tumor site in the esophagus and causes pain. Seeking professional advice on how to manage this is exceptionally crucial.

Change in body mass index
If there is any change in the body mass index without any extra effort, then it may point to an underlying cause or disease. According to research, roughly fifty percent of those diagnosed with esophageal cancer have experienced unexpected and drastic reductions in body fat. This may not be a warning sign if you are putting any voluntary efforts into reduction. However, it indicates an illness otherwise, so a health checkup is essential.

Persistent coughing or hoarseness
A persistent cough lasting more than three weeks can indicate some issues with the esophagus and requires a diagnosis. A change in the voice note, often recognized as hoarseness, remains persistent along with the coughing. It has been studied that this hoarse voice could be due to the tumor’s proximity to the trachea and vocal cords and the voice note changes. If this is not treated in time, it can cause permanent damage to the vocal cords, and the hoarseness may not go away.

Indigestion and regurgitation
Due to the esophagus being infected with cancer cells, it becomes difficult to eat anything. And not just that, even digestion becomes difficult. Regurgitation can cause the food or liquid to flow back into the esophagus, and a sour taste often accompanies this. This is one of the first telltale signs of esophageal cancer.

Prevention tips
There is no way to predict the onset of any disease. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of developing it by leading a healthy lifestyle. This includes living in an environment with no air pollutants, eating the right foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, limiting or eliminating processed foods, maintaining healthy body fat, and doing regular checkups to ensure the symptoms do not get severe.

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of cancer is early detection, so make sure to get annual health checkups, which include entire body scans, blood tests, and other such assessments.

Treatment options
The treatment methods can vary depending on the disease’s severity and from individual to individual. Three different types of treatments include:

Radiation therapy
This includes using X-rays, gamma rays, and other such charged particles that fight cancer in the body. These rays directly target the infected cells to kill them.

Chemotherapy
This involves taking treatment orally or intravenously, which can fight off the cancer cells. Usually, this kind of treatment weakens the body, and some side effects can be challenging to manage if not taken care of mindfully.

Surgery
This is the last stage of treatment, where surgery removes the cancerous tissue that can spread in the body. This is usually chosen as a last resort, and other treatment methods are tried primarily to fight off the disease without any lacerations.

Combined treatments
Apart from these individual treatments, there is a possibility that the healthcare professional may suggest a combined approach to the treatment. This means that they can combine these different therapies and surgery to provide a holistic and successful solution.

  • These combined treatments include neoadjuvant therapy, which combines radiation and chemotherapy. This treatment aims to shrink the tumor cells so that they do not occur before the surgery is performed.
  • Research suggests that chemotherapy and radiation are applied together, which is most likely to halt the spread of cancer that usually starts developing beyond the tumor site. So its spreading is limited, making it comparatively easier to manage and treat further. It is also observed that when this combined therapy is used before the surgery, the patients recover more quickly than when it is performed after the surgery.

It is imperative to stay vigilant about any changes observed in the body. Keep an eye out for unusual symptoms, and always speak to your primary care doctor for an opinion on moving further for specific diagnoses and tests. Also, it is advisable to join support groups with individuals experiencing a similar condition. This will benefit the patient to talk about their fears, concerns, and thoughts, and it could be a safe place to express themselves without any judgment.

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