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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Losing weight without trying
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
Early esophageal cancer typically causes no signs or symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any persistent signs and symptoms that worry you.
If you've been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition that increases your risk of esophageal cancer, ask your doctor what signs and symptoms to watch for that may signal that your condition is worsening. Also ask what screening tests you should consider.
- Kleinberg LR, et al. Cancer of the esophagus. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1399.
- Esophageal cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/esophageal.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Esophageal cancer treatment (PDQ) health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/esophageal/healthprofessional/allpages. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Esophageal cancer screening (PDQ) health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/esophageal/healthprofessional/allpages. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Questions to ask the doctor. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Esophageal+Cancer. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Eating hints for cancer patients: Before, during and after treatment. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/eatinghints/allpages/print. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Adult cancer pain. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/pain.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Esophageal cancer prevention (PDQ) health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/esophageal/healthprofessional/allpages. Accessed March 9, 2009.
