Synchronous Cancer (Gastric and Esophageal) - Endoscopic Image of Esophageal Carcinoma of the Middle Third

Endoscopic Image of Esophageal Carcinoma of the middle third. History Dysphagia is the most common presenting symptom. Dysphagia is initially experienced for solids, but eventually it progresses to include liquids. A complaint of dysphagia in an adult should always prompt an endoscopy to help rule out the presence of esophageal cancer. A barium swallow study is also indicated. Weight loss is the second most common symptom and occurs in more than 50% of people with esophageal carcinoma. Patients may experience bleeding. Pain can be felt in the epigastric or retrosternal area. It can also be felt over bony structures, representing a sign of metastatic disease. Hoarseness caused by invasion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is a sign of unresectability. Patients may have a persisting cough. Respiratory symptoms can be caused by aspiration of undigested food or by direct invasion of the tracheobronchial tree by the tumor. The latter is also a sign of unresectability.