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Does Esophageal Cancer Cause Difficulty In Swallowing, Back Pain And Cough?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Dec 2015
Question: Esophageal cancer is rare, i know someone under age 40 who got it, how is that possible? Im worried i have it due to difficulty swallowing, back pain and cough
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Esophageal cancer is almost impossible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Esophageal cancer is rare indeed. Moreover, to get this cancer you need to "work" really hard. To get this cancer, you have to smoke for many years or have acid reflux for many years which is not controlled. And even with this factors, esophageal cancer is still rare.
If you do not smoke, esophageal cancer at your age is almost impossible.
Swallowing difficulty, back pain and cough, are rather caused by acid reflux than anything else, and for sure are not caused by esophageal cancer.
Please note that this cancer does not give any symptoms at all for a very long time.

If this wont ease your mind, the best way to rule this cancer out is gastroscopy.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (24 hours later)
Thanks. I do feel on occasion liquid come up to my throat, it does not burn, just a liquid feel. What could that be and should i be worried?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about.

Detailed Answer:
This liquid is nothing more than a reflux. It comes from the stomach. It does not burn when your stomach acid is neutralized by foods or drinks. This is a normal thing and should not be the reason to worry.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (33 hours later)
One last question, if i did have esophageal cancer, would something abnormal have showed up in my annual physical bloodwork that i had done a couple weeks ago?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No, it would not show anything.

Detailed Answer:
No, there would be no changes in blood work. It can show something only in advanced esophageal cancer.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (9 hours later)
For some reason i can feel food going down my throat and it feels like it gets stuck in the throat occassionall, is this a common symotom of esophageal cancer? Am i just having high anxiety? y
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Anxiety is causing all of your symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Well, please understand one thing. When you are afraid of some disease, and your body is sensitive (anxious), you will start having exact symptoms of this particular disease. This is how our brain can simulate diseases due to anxiety disorder.
For example, if you start worrying about stomach cancer (its much more common than esophageal by the way), I am pretty sure your stomach will start aching. That is how it works.
The other thing is that there is no doctor in this service which can assure you that you do not have esophageal cancer. We simply do not know it. Gastroscopy is the only thing which can do that and ease your mind.

You are too young for this cancer. If you do not smoke, FORGET ABOUT THIS CANCER! Much more possible is that you will die in a car accident, than this cancer.

Answering your question, yes, esophageal cancer can cause such symptoms. As well as anxiety. When you are anxious, your muscles cause esophageal narrowing. This is very common.

Hope this will help somehow.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (24 hours later)
I think your right. Not sure if it matters, but my doctor tested my h pylori at my last physical and it was normal, is that a good sign?

Again, thanks for all your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is a good sign for sure.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, for sure lack of H.Pylori infection is a very good sign. This bacteria is responsible for stomach inflammation, acid reflux and can trigger a cancer. So lack of it is great news.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 minutes later)
Thats great! Even sqaumous cell too?
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5796 Questions

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Does Esophageal Cancer Cause Difficulty In Swallowing, Back Pain And Cough?

Brief Answer: Esophageal cancer is almost impossible. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Esophageal cancer is rare indeed. Moreover, to get this cancer you need to "work" really hard. To get this cancer, you have to smoke for many years or have acid reflux for many years which is not controlled. And even with this factors, esophageal cancer is still rare. If you do not smoke, esophageal cancer at your age is almost impossible. Swallowing difficulty, back pain and cough, are rather caused by acid reflux than anything else, and for sure are not caused by esophageal cancer. Please note that this cancer does not give any symptoms at all for a very long time. If this wont ease your mind, the best way to rule this cancer out is gastroscopy. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.