Oesophageal cancer symptoms - eleven signs you could have cancer of the gullet
OESOPHAGEAL cancer starts in oesophagus, also known as the gullet. While it doesn’t cause symptoms at first, the disease can cause, among others, difficulty swallowing.
Oesophageal cancer: Cancer of the gullet can cause acid reflux
The gullet is the tube which carried food from the mouth to the stomach.
Oesophageal cancer is more common among men than women, and usually affects people in their 60s and 70s.
The disease can be caused by persistent acid reflux - also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
It can also be caused drinking too much alcohol - more than 14 units a week, or being overweight and obese.
Oesophageal cancer symptoms: The disease can cause difficulty swallowing
Cancer Research UK said: “Smoking increases your risk of the two main types of oesophageal cancer – squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma.
"It is linked to two thirds of oesophageal cancers.”
Experts also suggest the disease could be caused by an unhealthy diet which is low in fruit and vegetables.
The prognosis for the disease usually depends on how far the cancer has developed.
If the disease is detected early it is possible to be cured. However, because the disease doesn’t usually cause symptoms until a later stage, it can be quite developed before it is spotted.
The main symptom of oesophageal cancer is usually difficulty swallowing.
Smoking increases your risk of the two main types of oesophageal cancer
However, other other symptoms can include:
persistent indigestion or heartburn, which is caused when acid goes back up into the oesophagus
bringing up food soon after eating - regurgitating food can be a sign of the disease
weight loss and a loss of appetite
sickness and persistent vomiting
pain or discomfort in your upper tummy, chest or back
a persistent cough which can happen while you’re trying to eat
hoarseness - when your voice become croaky
tiredness, shortness of breath and pale skin
coughing up blood – although this is uncommon
Experts also said a rare symptom is dark poo - caused by blood in the oesophagus
Oesophageal cancer symptoms: Alcohol can increase risk
Barrett's Oesophagus Screening Research - Cancer Research
Cancer Research UK said around 40 per cent of people diagnosed with oesophageal cancer that hasn’t spread live for five years or more.
The charity said 15 out of every 100 - 15 per cent - will survive for five years or more with all stages of the disease.
An average of 12 out of 100 - 12 per cent - will survive for 10 years or more.
Advanced oesophageal cancer means it has spread to another part of the body.
The only way doctors can check for oesophageal cancer is with an endoscopy.
STOMACH CANCER SYMPTOMS