Esophageal Cancer Symptoms

Esophageal Cancer Symptoms might just seems like a scratchy throat or if you are having trouble swallowing non-soft food…or…If you have lead a life where you smoked too much, are obese, drank to much booze and swilled down coffee like there was no tomorrow and you have any of these symptoms. You might have reason to be concerned.

Recently, Little League volunteer, Bret Cansler, 43, former president of Bayshore Little League (2006-2007) in Tampa, Florida, died from Esophageal Cancer. Bret lost his battle on Friday, June 19th, 2009.

Theron Bret Cansler recently went through intervention. It is a shame that he had so little time left to enjoy his life. Bret died with esophageal cancer at H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center where he was surrounded by his family. It is for him that I write this article.

Cancer of the esophagus is a tumor that starts it’s growth in the lining of the esophagus. It can then grow through the wall of the esophagus, and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or the lymphatic system. Because of it’s location, in cases, it is a fast cancer that spreads.

Esophageal Cancer Symptoms

* Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing is the first symptom in most Esophageal Cancer patients.

* Odynophagia or painful swallowing may be present. Fluids and soft foods are usually tolerated, while hard or bulky substances, such as breads or meats cause much more difficulty.

* You will notice a substantial weight loss as characteristic. This is the result of poor nutrition and the active cancer.

* Pain, often of a burning nature, may be severe and worsened by swallowing, and can come and go.

* An early sign may be an unusually husky or raspy voice, like some smokers have.

* The presence of a tumor may disrupt normal peristalsis…which is the organised swallowing reflex.

* This will lead to nausea and vomiting, regurgitation of food, coughing and an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.

* The tumor surface may be fragile and bleed, causing hematemesis or vomiting up blood.

* Compression of local structures occurs in advanced disease, leading to such problems as upper airway obstruction and superior vena cava syndrome. This means that you will have a hard time breathing.

* Fistulas may develop between the esophagus and the trachea, increasing the pneumonia risk. This condition is usually heralded by cough, fever or aspiration.
All of which is very painful.

Classification and external resources

Endoscopic image of patient with esophageal adenocarcinoma seen at gastro-esophageal

* If the disease spreads elsewhere, this may lead to:
Liver metastasis, could cause jaundice and ascites, lung metastasis could cause shortness of breath, pleural effusions, etc.

If you have been having these Esophageal Cancer Symptoms, please go to a doctor and get a check up. Prevention is the best form of attacking any illness. BBAC sends it condolences out to the family and friends of Theron Bret Cansler.