nodes , it ’ s important to identify this type of cancer early on .
“ Patients will typically start complaining about trouble swallowing . They ’ ll feel like food is always getting stuck in their esophagus ,” said Dr . Eid . “ They ’ ll say things like , ‘ Food gets stuck in my chest . It just doesn ’ t move !’ They ’ ll start throwing up after eating food . They ’ ll start seeing blood in the vomit .”
These are typically huge indicators of an issue with the esophagus , and it ’ s important to seek an appointment with an esophageal specialist to investigate the problem and get an early start on treatment if it turns out to be cancer .
Unintentional weight loss is also an early sign , said Eid .
“ As physicians , we don ’ t like to see patients who say ‘ I ’ ve been losing weight without even trying ,’” he said . “ That ’ s always a concern that we need to rule out cancer .”
Eid said that patients with a condition called “ Barrett ’ s Esophagus ” should be under cancer surveillance to detect tumor growth as soon as it occurs . Surveillance protocols involve endoscopy fairly routinely .
“ Barrett ’ s is kind of like a precursor of esophageal cancer ,” said Eid . “ You have to make multiple biopsies to make sure that Barrett ’ s is not worsening overtime .”
Eid said these types of symptoms can be very subtle , and there ’ s no indicator of Barrett ’ s other than the occasional heartburn . Therefore , it ’ s important that patients get regular check-ups with their primary care and notify their doctor if they ’ re having regular unexplained heartburn — especially if they smoke or drink in excess .
“ We always want to make sure it ’ s not a cancer first ,” said Eid . “ And once that ’ s out of the picture , then we can take care of their other problems .”
While Eid obviously understands esophageal cancer pretty well , it ’ s not something he operates on . Due to the rarity of this type of cancer , it requires a specialist to remove tumors . General surgeons are trained in this operation , said Eid , but they don ’ t get quite as much practice , again due to rarity .
For being proactive in avoiding esophageal cancer , there ’ s not much you can do . There ’ s nothing you can eat and no exercise you can perform that reduces your risk , but avoiding bad habits and paying attention to your body can help reduce risk .
Creative Commons Image 38 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky april 2023