When to see a doctor?
Although the exact cause of esophageal cancer is still not known, there are certain risk factors that
increase the likelihood of causing esophageal cancer.
Apart from the symptoms listed above, a patient may feel a range of other symptoms especially, if
esophageal cancer has spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body including the liver, lungs, bone, and
brain.
The specific symptoms that develop will depend on the exact location and extent of the cancer.
However, when esophageal cancer spreads to the liver, it can cause fever and abnormal enlargement of the
liver. If spread to the lungs, it can cause a chronic cough, shortness of breath or collection of fluid
within the membrane surrounding the lungs and if spread to the bones, it can cause bone pain.
Besides, if an individual is diagnosed with prolonged acid reflux, indigestion or Barrett’s esophagus, it
again doubles up the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
