Esophageal Cancer

• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Severe weight loss
• Pain in the throat or back, behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades
• Hoarseness or chronic cough
• Vomiting
• Coughing up blood

• Barium Swallow (also called an esophagram) is a series of x-rays of the esophagus. The patient drinks a liquid containing barium, which coats the inside of the esophagus. The barium makes any changes in the shape of the esophagus show up on the x-rays.
• Esophagoscopy (also called endoscopy) is an examination of the inside of the esophagus using a thin lighted tube called an endoscope. An anesthetic (substance that causes loss of feeling or awareness) is usually used during this procedure. If an abnormal area is found, the doctor can collect cells and tissue through the endoscope for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. A biopsy can show cancer, tissue changes that may lead to cancer, or other conditions.

Page 1 Esophageal Cancer - The Esophagus
Page 2 Risk Factors
Page 3 Recognizing Symptoms
Page 4 Staging the Disease
Page 5 Treatment
Page 6 Side Effects of Treatment
Page 7 Nutrition
Page 8 Questions for Your Doctor
Page 9 Resources

References:
www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/esophagus