When To Suspect That You May Have Esophageal Cancer Esophageal cancer is the cancer of the food canal in common terms. This canal or tube takes food ingested by the mouth directlystraight down to the stomach. The esophagus starts from the back of the throat, and continues till the above of the stomach, and ends at the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Between the stomach and the esophagus there is a partitioning wall called diaphragm. This is the information at a glance, which you need to know about the esophagus to understand how this gets affected by cancer. How sensitive the esophagus may become when affected by cancer As this is one of the most important organs of the body, which takes the food to the stomach, and you just cannot do without proper functioning and feel of this part, hence, any problem and irritation with this must be attended immediately. There are some organs and parts of the body, which when affected by cancer, the person doesn’t realize that there is a serious problem in the body, until the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage while showing some unavoidable symptoms. But in case of the food canal, you can get to know that there is a problem right from the beginning in most cases. That’s because this sensitive canal takes food to the stomach, and hence has a daily traffic and gets invaded by various typesof foods, spices, drinks, and temperatures. Signs of esophageal cancer Although many of the described signs may relate to another medical problem or condition other than cancer, but in cancer patients one or many of them are found.
Heartburn and a feeling of pressure in the chest Painful swallowing of food, specially the ones which are chunky and not tender. As with time the cancer cells grow and the tumor enlarges, most of the pathway to the stomach may get blocked. At this stage liquids are also swallowed with lots of pain and pressure. Indigestion Vomiting Hoarseness in voice Frequent coughing Choking of food Weight loss for no apparent reasons Throat pain
If you are getting many of these signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer then you must visit a doctor and get yourself checked. Factors inviting esophageal cancer You would have increased chances of getting esophageal cancer if:
You are inclined towards tobacco use or alcohol consumption.
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You have acid reflux problem or GERD.
Both acid reflux problem and tobacco consumption, if not taken care of or controlled on time, may result in esophageal cancer for strong reasons. Tobacco and alcohol has always been linked to cancer. Acid reflux causes cancer because the acids in the stomach, which are made to digest the food and kill any pathogen in the food, when comes in contact with the esophagus, burns or digests the heathy tissues of the esophagus too, just like the ingested food. This affects the healthy cells of the food canal. The acid burns those cells, which are not meant to be exposed to this acid, and hence have no protective covering like the internal layer of the stomach has. That’s why with repeated contact and burning the cells develop cancer.