Portalos News

Esophageal Cancer - Radiation Side Effects

Esophageal cancer radiation side effects can be felt for a shorter time duration which includes inflammation of mouth, esophagus and throat lining called as mucositis, fistulas formations along with esophageal perforation, bleeding, infection, dryness of mouth or xerostomia and fatigue. Certain patients who respond well to disease radiation therapy can get stricture or esophagus narrowing and even might need treating it in future.

Esophageal cancer side effects normally depend on the kind of treatment he is taking and hence the side effects can vary from one person to another. Disease effects caused due to surgery can be present in the patients for a short period. Some side effects include itching, skin rashes, loss of hair, poor appetite, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, lip and mouth sores. Normally these side effects disappear very gradually during or after the treatment.

Other side effects include difficulty to swallow, pain in the abdomen, cough, breathing pain or breath shortness.

Esophageal Cancer Symptoms

Esophageal cancer does not produce any symptoms in the beginning stages but can be observed in their later stages like pain felt while swallowing food or drinking liquids, unintentional weight loss, burning or pressure felt in the chest region, hiccups, chronic coughing and voice hoarseness. Sometimes the symptoms caused by upper esophageal cancer can be controlled or even relieved when suitable lifestyle changes and diet changes are applied. Treatment becomes easier and effective if upper esophageal cancer symptoms are detected earlier. Other symptoms include vomiting after consuming meals where the vomit might have undigested food, vomiting blood, chest pain, excessive gas, abdominal pain and anorexia.

Acid reflux or barrett's esophagus is also closely linked with upper esophageal cancer and their symptoms. Esophageal stricture symptoms include unable to swallow foods especially when they are solid, chest pain felt after swallowing food and so on.

Natural Remedies:
There are certain natural remedies that offer a promising cure for esophageal cancer.