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What is oesophageal cancer?

(From NHS)

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• Oesophageal cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the oesophagus, sometimes called the gullet or food pipe.
• The oesophagus connects your mouth to your stomach.
• How serious oesophageal cancer is depends on where it is in the oesophagus, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.

Main symptoms of oesophageal cancer

There are many possible symptoms of oesophageal cancer, but they might be hard to spot.

They can affect your digestion, such as:

• having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
• feeling or being sick
• heartburn or acid reflux
• symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot

Other symptoms include:

• a cough that is not getting better
• a hoarse voice
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• feeling tired or having no energy
• pain in your throat or the middle of your chest, especially when swallowing

If you have another condition, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, you may get symptoms like these regularly.

You might find you get used to them. But it's important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.

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What happens at the GP appointment

The GP may feel your neck and tummy.

They might arrange for you to have a blood test.

The GP may refer you to see a specialist in hospital for more tests if they think you have a condition that needs to be investigated.

The GP may also refer you straight to hospital for a test to look inside your oesophagus.

This may be an urgent referral, usually within 2 weeks, if you have certain symptoms. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.

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Who is more likely to get oesophageal cancer

Anyone can get oesophageal cancer. It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if you:

• are over the age of 75, it's not very common in people under 45
• are a man
• have certain medical conditions, such as long-term, severe acid reflux or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or a condition called Barrett's oesophagus

Many oesophageal cancers are also linked to your lifestyle.

Barrett's oesophagus

Barrett's oesophagus is a medical condition where some of the cells in your oesophagus grow abnormally.

If you have Barrett's oesophagus you are slightly more likely to get oesophageal cancer. But this is not common. It is sometimes called a pre-cancerous condition.

Barrett’s oesophagus often does not have any symptoms. But you may have symptoms of indigestion and heartburn.

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Treatment for oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is often treatable. But it can be difficult to treat.

The treatment you have will depend on:

• the size and type of oesophageal cancer you have
• where it is
• if it has spread
• your general health

It may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
• help you manage any side effects, including changes to your diet

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Surgery

If oesophageal cancer is found early and it has not spread, you may be able to have surgery to remove it.

Surgery will remove part or, in a small number of cases, most of the oesophagus. They may also need to remove parts of other organs around the oesophagus, such as the top of the stomach.

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For more information, please see the NHS website