Differences between early symptoms of esophageal cancer and esophagitis
Disease description:
I have been diagnosed with early-stage esophageal cancer, but I've heard that the symptoms are similar to those of esophagitis. What is the difference between the early symptoms of esophageal cancer and esophagitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Dongfeng
The difference between esophageal cancer and esophagitis lies in their symptoms: early esophageal cancer often presents with difficulty swallowing, while esophagitis typically causes a burning sensation. Patients with esophageal cancer may also experience trouble swallowing, obstruction, and are prone to choking coughs. In contrast, esophagitis mainly causes pain during swallowing, along with chest and abdominal pain and acid regurgitation. Regardless of whether it is esophageal cancer or esophagitis, both conditions can be evaluated through gastroscopy, allowing identification of the underlying cause and subsequent targeted treatment.
