10 Causes of Dysphagia
Cause #1: Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer refers to cancer that originates from the esophagus. Symptoms of esophageal cancer usually include dysphagia, weight loss, hoarseness of voice, enlarged lymph nodes, odynophagia, coughing, and more. In these patients, dysphagia is the most common symptom, and it starts first for solids and progresses to include liquids.
Esophageal cancer can be generally divided into two types: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is usually found in the lower third of the esophagus with risk factors of obesity, acid reflux, and smoking tobacco, while squamous cell carcinoma occurs in the upper two-thirds with risk factors of consumption of very hot liquids, smoking tobacco and chronic alcohol consumption. Treatment is dependent on the stage and location of cancer.
