Esophageal cancer history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]
Overview
Symptoms of esophageal cancer include dysphagia, odynophagia, weight loss, and hematemesis.
History and Symptoms
History
Obtaining history is an important aspect of making a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. It provides an insight into severity, precipitating factors and associated comorbid conditions. Complete history will help determine the correct therapy and helps in determining the prognosis. The areas of focus should be on onset, duration, and progression of symptoms such as:
- Dysphagia
- Odynophagia - fluids and soft foods are usually tolerated, while hard or bulky substances (such as bread or meat) cause pain during swallowing.
- Weight loss
- Pain - often of a burning nature, may be severe and worsened by swallowing, and can be spasmodic in character.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Regurgitation of food, coughing and an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia
- Hematemesis
- Hoarseness, cough, vocal cord paralysis, or other symptoms of mediastinal invasion[1][2]
Common symptoms
- Dysphagia to solid food
- Retrosternal or burning pain
- Weight loss
- Changes in diet
- Anorexia
Less common symptoms
- Regurgitation of food or saliva
- Hoarseness or loss of voice
- Bloody or intractable cough
- Blood in stools
- Frequent pneumonia