Oesophageal cancer – everything you need to know

Oesophageal cancer can have no symptoms or symptoms that might be very familiar to the people experiencing them. But oesophageal cancer, like most cancers, can be best treated when found early. That’s why it’s important to check out the following symptoms with your GP, even when you think they are “normal” for you:

• Problems swallowing (dysphagia)
• Feeling/being sick
• Heartburn/acid reflux
• Indigestion, e.g. burping a lot
• Cough that is not getting better
• Hoarse voice
• Loss of appetite/losing weight without trying to
• Feeling tired/no energy
• Pain in your throat/middle of your chest, especially when swallowing

When you experience any of the above symptoms, it’s worth checking them out with your GP, whether you have a pre-existing condition such as GORD or not. The GP may examine your stomach and neck and might order a blood test. You could also be referred to a specialist or the hospital for further scans. This could include a gastroscopy, where a doctor inserts a camera into your oesophagus to check for problems and maybe take a tissue sample.

Oesophageal cancer, especially when found early, is often treatable, but can also be difficult to treat, depending on the size, type of cancer and whether it has spread to other organs.

Treatments may include surgery to remove the tumour and chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink it.