Difficulty Swallowing (7/13)

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or feeling that food is stuck in the throat or chest. This can be a sign of esophageal cancer, throat cancer, or stomach cancer. It may start with difficulty swallowing solid foods and progress to liquids.

Treatment:

• Diagnostic procedures (barium swallow, endoscopy)
• Dietary modifications (soft or pureed foods)
• Swallowing therapy with a speech-language pathologist
• Medications to reduce stomach acid if applicable
• Dilation of the esophagus if narrowed
• Surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy if cancer-related
• Nutritional support (feeding tubes if necessary)