A group of malignant neoplasms that develop from the esophagus tissues and actively grow inside the organ lumen for many years is considered cancer. The most common tumors such as carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, less common squamous neoplasms.
The danger of the disease lies in the fact that it is difficult to diagnose cancer of the esophagus in time - the first symptoms of pathology appear already at the late (3rd and 4th) stages of tumor growth.
The first common signs of esophageal cancer
In most cases, the described disease does not manifest itself at all. This is due to the slow development of the neoplasm.
At stage 1, the tumor affects only the mucous membranes and submucosal base of the esophagus. The muscles are not affected yet. The growth has small dimensions, respectively, the lumen in the cavity does not narrow. In addition, the neoplasm does not metastasize into neighboring organs. Therefore, the symptoms of esophageal cancer at the earliest stage are generally absent.
The next stage (2nd) of the development of the tumor is characterized by the onset of the lesion of not only the mucosa and the submucosa but also the muscular tissue. The neoplasm itself does not go beyond the limits of the organ, however it can give single metastases to the lymph nodes that are located near the growth. The tumor in the 2 stages increases in size and provokes a slight narrowing of the esophagus.
For 1-2 years, patients, as a rule, do not know about the presence of cancer in the esophagus. In rare cases, it is possible to suspect an oncological disease on the basis of some common symptoms:
- malaise;
- weakness, especially in the mornings;
- decreased body weight;
- deterioration of efficiency, concentration of attention;
- sometimes - a feeling of discomfort in the area behind the breastbone after eating;
- irritability .
It is worth noting that such clinical manifestations are characteristic of a large number of other diseases. Therefore, early diagnosis of the described problem is very difficult.
Specific signs of esophageal cancer at an early stage
The characteristic symptomatology of the examined pathology is clearly expressed already at the 3-4 stage of tumor growth, when its size leads to the overlap of a significant volume of the esophagus, and multiple metastases penetrate into neighboring organs.
The only specific sign of the disease in stage 1-2 can be considered only dysphagia. It is expressed in the fact that the patient experiences difficulties in swallowing solid and dry food, especially dishes from potatoes, meat, bread and rice. Usually this state is not appreciated, simply by washing water with jammed food.
Very rarely, these early signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer are accompanied by pain syndrome. Predominantly, the pain is localized behind the sternum, in the region of the heart. It is described by patients as blunt or pulling. This clinical manifestation, as a rule, is observed after the appearance of difficulties in the swallowing process, but the possibility of the onset of pain syndrome a little before dysphagia is not ruled out.
To make an accurate diagnosis, based only on the presence of characteristic signs of esophageal cancer, is almost impossible. Too many other diseases occur in a similar way. The maximum difficulties arise if the tumor grows due to predisposing pathologies - diverticula and esophageal stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux, leukoplakia, chronic esophagitis, polyps and benign organ tumors.
Differentiation of the first symptoms of esophageal cancer from other diseases is accomplished through careful instrumental and laboratory testing.