Symptoms and diagnosis of oesophageal cancer

Unfortunately, initially there may be no symptoms. Once symptoms start to develop, they may include:    

• As the cells within the oesophagus mutate and form a tumour (lump), it can cause food and drink to get blocked and cause difficulty/pain when swallowing (dysphagia).  

• At first this may only be noticeable with solid foods such as meat and bread. However, as the cancer develops, this becomes more noticeable and will eventually lead to difficulty swallowing liquids.  

• Weight loss. 

• Food coming back up (regurgitation), feeling/being sick.  

• Choking and coughing. 

• Unexplained chest infections. 

• Pain in the chest/back/throat. 

• Hoarse throat and voice.  

• Indigestion and/or heartburn which doesn’t go away. 

There are other conditions which may cause the above symptoms, but you should always have them checked by your doctor.