Esophageal (Food-Pipe) Cancer — Symptoms & Treatment in Lucknow
Esophageal cancer affects the food pipe (oesophagus), the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Its most important early warning sign is difficulty swallowing, which should never be ignored. Treatment is most effective when the cancer is found early, and usually combines surgery with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma treats esophageal cancer in Lucknow within Medanta's multidisciplinary cancer programme, with the surgical expertise these complex operations require.
What is esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer arises in the lining of the food pipe and can grow to narrow it, making swallowing progressively difficult. The two main types are linked to different risk factors — one to smoking and alcohol, the other to long-standing acid reflux. Because symptoms often appear only once the cancer has grown, prompt assessment of swallowing difficulty is important.
Symptoms to watch for
- Difficulty swallowing, first with solids and later with liquids
- A feeling of food sticking in the chest or throat
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain or discomfort on swallowing
- Persistent indigestion, reflux, or hoarseness
Causes & risk factors
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Long-standing acid reflux and Barrett's oesophagus
- A diet low in fruit and vegetables; very hot beverages
- Increasing age and male sex
How it is diagnosed
- Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy — the key test
- CT scan and PET-CT for staging
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to assess depth and nodes
How esophageal cancer is treated
Treatment is planned in a multidisciplinary tumour board and depends on the stage. For many patients, chemotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy is given first to shrink the tumour, followed by surgery to remove the affected part of the food pipe (esophagectomy) and reconstruct the swallowing passage. Minimally invasive techniques are used where appropriate.
As a GI surgical oncologist in Lucknow, Dr Verma performs these demanding operations within a fully supported surgical and critical-care environment, sequencing surgery with other treatments for the best overall outcome.
When to see a GI surgeon
- Any difficulty swallowing, or food sticking — assess promptly, do not wait
- Unexplained weight loss with swallowing or reflux symptoms
- Long-standing reflux with new or changing symptoms
Esophageal Cancer: common questions
Is difficulty swallowing always cancer?
No — there are several causes of swallowing difficulty, many of them benign. But because it can be the first sign of esophageal cancer, new or progressive difficulty swallowing should always be assessed promptly with an endoscopy. Early diagnosis makes treatment far more effective.
Can esophageal cancer be cured?
When found early and treated with a combination of surgery and, where needed, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, esophageal cancer can be cured. Outcomes are best with timely diagnosis and treatment by an experienced multidisciplinary team. Each plan is tailored to the stage of the disease.
Concerned about esophageal cancer?
Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma offers clear assessment and expert treatment. Book a consultation for personalised advice.