What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer?

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Chandra P. Belani, MD
Deputy Director, Penn State Cancer Institute
Miriam Beckner Professor of Medicine
Penn State University School of Medicine

Often, in its early stages, esophageal cancer has no symptoms. Symptoms usually don’t appear until the disease is more advanced. The following are the most common symptoms of esophageal cancer. However, each person’s symptoms may be different.

• Difficult or painful swallowing (dysphagia) - This is the most common symptom. This symptom usually does not appear, however, until a tumor has grown so large that it narrows your esophagus to about half its normal width. At this point, food becomes almost impossible to swallow and feels like it is stuck in your throat. You may find yourself chewing more slowly or switching to softer foods so that you can swallow more easily. In time, even swallowing liquids becomes difficult.
• Pain - Although pain in the throat, behind the breastbone, or between the shoulder blades is uncommon, you may have pain when you swallow or discomfort or feel a burning sensation in the area behind your breastbone.
• Severe weight loss - Many people with esophageal cancer lose weight unintentionally because eating becomes more difficult and they are not taking in enough calories to maintain their weight.
• Hoarseness or chronic cough - The cancer may compress the nerve that controls the vocal cords and lead to hoarseness.
• Vomiting - Cancer that spreads to the intestines may cause vomiting, blood in the stool, and iron-deficiency anemia.
• Coughing up blood - The tumor may rupture, causing this symptom.

The symptoms of esophageal cancer may resemble other medical conditions or problems, so it is best to consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.