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Oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is a type of cancer affecting the oesophagus (gullet) – the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.

It mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s and is more common in men than women.

Symptoms

Oesophageal cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms in the early stages. It’s only when it gets bigger that symptoms tend to develop.

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include:

Difficulty swallowing

Persistent indigestion or heartburn

Regurgitation of food soon after eating

Loss of appetite and weight loss

Pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen chest or back

Causes of oesophageal cancer

The exact cause of oesophageal cancer is unknown, but the following things can increase your risk:

Oesophageal cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms in the early stages. It’s only when it gets bigger that symptoms tend to develop.

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include:

Persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

Smoking

Drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time

Being overweight or obese

Having an unhealthy diet that’s low in fruit and vegetables

Treatments for oesophageal cancer

If oesophageal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it may be possible to cure it with:

Surgery to remove the affected section of oesophagus

Chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy (chemoradiation), to kill the cancerous cells and shrink the tumour

Having an unhealthy diet that’s low in fruit and vegetables

If oesophageal cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, a cure may not be achievable.

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Dr Charbel Sandroussi

Specialist in GI and General Surgery

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Fax: Hours

Mon – Fri: 9:00 – 17:00