The esophagus, also known as the food pipe, carries food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a critical component of the digestive system. Esophageal cancer is a condition in which cancerous cells rapidly multiply and occupy the tissues of the esophagus. While cancer here is certainly treatable, it may not be completely curable. To reduce the severity of symptoms, doctors first need to diagnose the condition based on the following typical symptoms:

Swallowing difficulties
The growth of cancerous cells in the esophagus makes it narrower. As a result, ingesting food becomes much more difficult. This results in trouble swallowing food, even small bites. Additionally, swallowing solid food may become painful for people with esophageal cancer.

Hoarse voice
The growth of cancerous cells can affect parts of the throat, such as the vocal cords and the larynx. As a result, the voice undergoes a transformation and becomes unnaturally hoarse and raspy, especially as cancer progresses.

Muscle loss
When dealing with esophageal cancer, one may lose their appetite and willingness to eat. This is aggravated by the difficulty swallowing food and the accompanying pain. As a result, one dealing with this kind of cancer may tend to have smaller and less frequent meals over time. They may also find it easier to have beverages and fluids than solid food. Eventually, this tendency deprives one of the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals required to build strength and resilience to diseases. The cumulative effect of these factors is rapid muscle loss in a short period of time. This is one of the main esophageal cancer symptoms, and if one observes this symptom, they should get screened for cancer.

Persistent cough
The cancerous cell growth in the throat also can cause irritation and a buildup of mucus. This leads to a near-persistent cough—one of the most common esophageal cancer symptoms.