Esophageal Cancer

Symptoms

Esophageal cancer usually develops without symptoms in its earliest, most treatable stage. The most common first symptom is increasing difficulty in swallowing food and liquid. This symptom, known as dysphagia, can lead to weight loss. Other symptoms can include:

• Regurgitation
• Vomiting of blood
• Hoarseness
• Frequent heartburn
• Chest pain
• Blood passing into the intestine, causing anemia

Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is similarly characterized by heartburn and regurgitation. GERD often leads to Barrett's esophagus, a condition that increases a person's risk for developing esophageal cancer.

Read more about Barrett's esophagus at
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