Bharat SainiLast Updated on December 16, 2017 by Bharat Saini
There is nothing better than the early detection of a disease. The diseases with non life-threatening characteristics may not call for immediate attention, but when the matter is of cancer; none dare afford to not resort to immediate and effective treatment. However, oftentimes, the dangerous diseases like cancer go unnoticed and undetected. The patients get to realize it when its severity intensifies. By this time, the situation already becomes complicated. And, if delayed further, this may worsen the situation threatening the chances of survival. Irrespective of the type of cancer, the early detection and treatment proves to be beneficial in several ways. Less suffering, less expenses, faster recovery, and greater chances of recovery etc get facilitated if the disease is identified, diagnosed, and treated in the initial stages.
Why do people fail to identify the symptoms of esophageal cancer? Really speaking, no sane person would ever desire to cut short the span of life by not getting the diseases treated. However, many of the diseases like esophageal cancer are not identified by the people that are ignorant of the symptoms of esophageal cancer. What are the symptoms of the esophageal cancer by the way? Truly speaking, it is not at all a tough task to identify its symptoms. However, one needs to have sufficient awareness and knowledge. Here are some most common symptoms of esophageal cancer:
• Difficulty in swallowing: This is one of the most common symptoms of esophageal cancer. The food feels as if it is stuck in the throat or chest. This is seen most commonly in the people suffering from acid reflux. A serious complication of acid reflux, also known as Barrett’s Disease, may lead to this cancerous condition. In Barrett’s esophagus, the tube carrying the food from mouth to stomach, changes to tissue resembling the lining of the intestine. Its symptoms are similar to those of GERD. So, the people suffering with GERD need to be extra careful.
• Chest pain: Pain or discomfort in the middle part of the chest is also a one of the common symptoms of esophageal cancer. This may occur due to the acid reflux as well and there is no need to fear. However, if the pain becomes unbearable and the swallowing becomes more difficult, it is advisable to visit the doctor.
• Weight loss: Many people with esophageal cancer lose weight without making any efforts to do so. The difficulty in swallowing or eating, loss of appetite and increase of metabolism due to cancer are considered to be responsible for this. • Other symptoms: Besides Barrett’s disease or Barrett’s esophagus, chest pain, and weight loss, there are also various other symptoms like hoarseness, chronic cough, bone pain, hiccups, vomiting, and bleeding into esophagus etc.
The symptoms of esophageal cancer are not exclusive. Many or most of the above mentioned symptoms are associated with various other diseases like acid reflux or GERD etc. So, the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that one has become the victim of the esophageal cancer. However, something that is really advisable is that the people with such symptoms should not delay in undergoing the process of diagnosing the real problem.
