Esophageal cancer is relatively common and one of the most challenging cancers to treat. Its symptoms often become noticeable only after the disease has advanced. However, there are numerous early signs of esophageal cancer. Understanding and paying attention to these signs makes early detection and a complete cure possible.
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is responsible for transporting food and liquids. Many patients with esophageal cancer remain unaware of their condition in its early stages. By the time that it is diagnosed, the cancer has often spread to other parts of the body, resulting in a higher mortality rate. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for esophageal cancer is only 22 percent. This is lower than the 28 percent survival rate for lung cancer, which is responsible for the most cancer deaths in the United States, and comparable to the survival rate for liver cancer, another challenging disease to treat.
