Symptoms of oesophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet)

If you have any of these symtoms you should visit your GP as soon as possible.

The symptoms of oesophageal cancer may include any of the following:

difficulty swallowing (called dysphagia) - feeling that your food is sticking in your throat
vomiting (being sick) or bringing food back up that hasn’t yet entered the stomach (called regurgitation)
pain when swallowing
weight loss
pain or discomfort behind the breastbone or in the back
indigestion or heartburn that doesn’t go away
a cough
hoarseness - this happens when there’s pressure on the nerve that supplies the voice box.

These symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, but you should always tell your doctor about them, particularly if they don’t go away after a couple of weeks.

Content last reviewed: 1 July 2012

Next planned review: 2014

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Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ.