Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Food Getting Stuck While Eating? Doctors Say It’s Not Just Ageing, May Signal Cancer

Do you see your elderly loved ones pausing and quietly struggling every time they eat? In many households, a slight difficulty in swallowing—known as dysphagia—is often brushed aside as normal ageing or eating too fast. 

Speaking to HealthandMe, doctors warned that this seemingly harmless symptom should not be ignored, as it could be <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a> of the esophagus.

"When food repeatedly feels stuck in the chest, or swallowing becomes difficult, it may not be ageing at all. It could be an early warning sign of a serious condition, including esophageal <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a>," said Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas, Chairman - Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Onco Robotic Surgeries, Manipal Hospital.

Esophageal cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the esophagus. The esophagus is a long, hollow tube that helps move swallowed food from the back of the throat to the stomach for digestion.

"Esophageal cancer typically remains silent during its initial phases, and the inability to swallow is one of the most typical warning signs. With the expansion of the tumor, the food pipe has the potential to get narrowed, which obstructs the smooth passage of food into the stomach. In case an individual constantly feels that something gets stuck in the mouth, one has to see a doctor and have a proper examination," added Dr. Hemkant Verma, Consultant - Surgical Oncology, ShardaCare-Healthcity.

Also read:<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/this-man-made-24-doctor-visits-for-back-and-leg-pain-died-12-days-after-cancer-diagnosis-article-154179610" data-type="tilCustomLink">This Man Made 24 Doctor Visits for Back and Leg Pain, Died 12 Days After Cancer Diagnosis</a>

Although diﬃculty swallowing is usually the first sign people notice, the body sends out other quite signals too. This includes:

<ul><li>Food sticking in the chest or throat: A sensation that food is not going down smoothly and feels stuck after swallowing, especially with solid foods.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Gradual diﬃculty in swallowing: Initially struggling with solids like roti or rice, and gradually facing diﬃculty even with semi-solids or liquids.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Frequent choking or coughing while eating: This may indicate that food is entering the airway instead of the esophagus</li></ul>

<ul><li>Unintentional weight loss: Dropping weight without even trying, mostly because eating has started to feel like a diﬃcult chore.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Chest pain: A persistent discomfort behind the breastbone that is not relieved with an antacid</li></ul>

<ul><li>Vomiting or coughing up blood: A serious sign that the lining of the food pipe is irritated or damaged and needs immediate attention.</li></ul>

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor in the food pipe,  and primarily affects people over the age of 55.

The doctors also warned of lifestyle choices that may predispose one to esophageal cancer. This includes tobacco use, alcohol consumption, chronic acid reflux, obesity, and bad diet choices.

While early diagnosis is quite important to enhance the success of treatment, patients often tend to postpone seeking medical treatment for such symptoms, resulting in late diagnosis and poor outcomes.

Read more: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/suffering-from-mid-back-pain-doctors-say-it-may-be-spinal-tb-article-153964854" data-type="tilCustomLink">Suffering From Mid-back Pain? Doctors Say It May Be Spinal TB</a>

The first step in diagnosis is usually an endoscopy, where a camera is used to check for any unusual growths. If a tumor is found, a biopsy is taken. 

Upon biopsy confirmation, a staging workup is required, usually in the form of a PET-CT scan. 

Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach consisting of radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery.  The surgery is known as esophagectomy, where the diseased part of the tube is removed, and the remaining part is reconnected to the stomach. If detected early and treated properly, the disease is curable.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Cancer

trouble swallowing

esophageal cancer

dysphagiais

esophagus

food pipe cancer

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Do you see your elderly loved ones pausing and quietly struggling every time they eat? In many households, a slight difficulty in swallowing—known as dysphagia—is often brushed aside as normal ageing or eating too fast. Speaking to HealthandMe, doctors warned that this seemingly harmless symptom should not be ignored, as it could be cancer of the esophagus. "When food repeatedly feels stuck in the chest, or swallowing becomes difficult, it may not be ageing at all. It could be an early warning sign of a serious condition, including esophageal cancer," said Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas, Chairman - Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Onco Robotic Surgeries, Manipal Hospital.Esophageal cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the esophagus. The esophagus is a long, hollow tube that helps move swallowed food from the back of the throat to the stomach for digestion."Esophageal cancer typically remains silent during its initial phases, and the inability to swallow is one of the most typical warning signs. With the expansion of the tumor, the food pipe has the potential to get narrowed, which obstructs the smooth passage of food into the stomach. In case an individual constantly feels that something gets stuck in the mouth, one has to see a doctor and have a proper examination," added Dr. Hemkant Verma, Consultant - Surgical Oncology, ShardaCare-Healthcity. Warning Signs That Many IgnoreAlso read:This Man Made 24 Doctor Visits for Back and Leg Pain, Died 12 Days After Cancer DiagnosisAlthough diﬃculty swallowing is usually the first sign people notice, the body sends out other quite signals too. This includes:Food sticking in the chest or throat: A sensation that food is not going down smoothly and feels stuck after swallowing, especially with solid foods.Gradual diﬃculty in swallowing: Initially struggling with solids like roti or rice, and gradually facing diﬃculty even with semi-solids or liquids.Frequent choking or coughing while eating: This may indicate that food is entering the airway instead of the esophagusUnintentional weight loss: Dropping weight without even trying, mostly because eating has started to feel like a diﬃcult chore.Chest pain: A persistent discomfort behind the breastbone that is not relieved with an antacidVomiting or coughing up blood: A serious sign that the lining of the food pipe is irritated or damaged and needs immediate attention. Treatment For Esophageal CancerEsophageal cancer is a malignant tumor in the food pipe,  and primarily affects people over the age of 55.The doctors also warned of lifestyle choices that may predispose one to esophageal cancer. This includes tobacco use, alcohol consumption, chronic acid reflux, obesity, and bad diet choices.While early diagnosis is quite important to enhance the success of treatment, patients often tend to postpone seeking medical treatment for such symptoms, resulting in late diagnosis and poor outcomes.Read more: Suffering From Mid-back Pain? Doctors Say It May Be Spinal TBThe first step in diagnosis is usually an endoscopy, where a camera is used to check for any unusual growths. If a tumor is found, a biopsy is taken. Upon biopsy confirmation, a staging workup is required, usually in the form of a PET-CT scan. Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach consisting of radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery.  The surgery is known as esophagectomy, where the diseased part of the tube is removed, and the remaining part is reconnected to the stomach. If detected early and treated properly, the disease is curable.