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Pain In Throat With Swallowing Difficulty. Do I Have Esophageal Cancer?
Question: I am asking this question about 2 weeks ago i was staying at a hotel, and went to the exercise room, and worked out on eliptical machine and got in pool and swam did some backstrokes and underwater swimming, next day i had pain at the base of my throat right where clavicles XXXXXXX and felt painful or at least aware of swallowing, now i am worried that I have esophageal cancer, have been having more anxiety and stuff am a very depressed person.
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are other causes of a soreness in the throat with painful swallowing such as post nasal drip in persons with a history of sinusitis, infection, GERD, trauma.These are more likely than esophageal cancer which only occurs in 3 to 6 of 100 000 persons.
Esophageal cancer tends to occur in persons with a history of smoking or excess alcohol use or chronic untreated GERD.
The most common presenting symptoms is painful swallowing however this starts with problems with solids and progresses to liquids. The second most common symptom is weight loss. Other possible symptoms would be hoarseness, persistent cough and bleeding.
It is diagnosed by history, examination and investigations such as a barium swallow and endoscopy.
If you are significantly worried then it would be best, if possible to visit your doctor for an assessment. IF you do not have the assessment , it is likely that you may continue to worry because you do not know for sure, even though it is unlikely.
Depression,itself is a serious condition and common. It can affect not just mental but physical well being. It is important to seek medical attention for this as well, this would include a counsellor that you can honestly talk to and the use of medication for a period of time.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
There are other causes of a soreness in the throat with painful swallowing such as post nasal drip in persons with a history of sinusitis, infection, GERD, trauma.These are more likely than esophageal cancer which only occurs in 3 to 6 of 100 000 persons.
Esophageal cancer tends to occur in persons with a history of smoking or excess alcohol use or chronic untreated GERD.
The most common presenting symptoms is painful swallowing however this starts with problems with solids and progresses to liquids. The second most common symptom is weight loss. Other possible symptoms would be hoarseness, persistent cough and bleeding.
It is diagnosed by history, examination and investigations such as a barium swallow and endoscopy.
If you are significantly worried then it would be best, if possible to visit your doctor for an assessment. IF you do not have the assessment , it is likely that you may continue to worry because you do not know for sure, even though it is unlikely.
Depression,itself is a serious condition and common. It can affect not just mental but physical well being. It is important to seek medical attention for this as well, this would include a counsellor that you can honestly talk to and the use of medication for a period of time.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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