Millions of Americans suffer from heartburn on a regular or semi-regular basis, but that doesn’t mean it’s a normal phenomenon that shouldn’t be taken seriously. In fact, if heartburn is ignored, it can lead to the development of esophageal cancer, which has poor treatment rates compared to other types of cancers. Below, we explore the link between heartburn and throat cancer.
Is Heartburn A Symptom of Cancer?
Heartburn may be serious or it may be something to just keep an eye on. So how do you know when heartburn is serious or not? The answer is frequency. Most cases of heartburn are categorized as minor or mildly discomforting, so while you can’t always tell how serious it is from your discomfort level, how often you’re experiencing heartburn that can be a telltale sign of the severity of the issue.
For example, if you’ve just eaten a large or spicy meal, it’s not uncommon to have some burping or heartburn in your chest region. However, if you’re experiencing heartburn after every meal, or more than three times a week, you should set up a consultation with an endocrine specialist. That’s because heartburn is caused by what’s known as acid reflux, and chronic cases of acid reflux can wear down the healthy tissue in your esophagus. If these tissues become damaged, they can mutate and cancer cells can form. Unless it’s treated in its infancy, esophageal cancer can be very difficult to treat successfully, so visit your doctor at the first sign of trouble.
Treating Esophageal Cancer
If you are dealing with heartburn, or if you are dealing with other symptoms like a persistent cough or changes in your voice, visit an esophageal specialist. The earliest stage of esophageal cancer is known as Barrett’s esophagus, and it’s characterized by abnormal cell growth. Thankfully Barrett’s esophagus is very treatable, and you doctor can remove the abnormal cells and perform another procedure on your esophageal sphincter to prevent acid from creeping back up into your throat.
Left untreated, Barrett’s esophagus can turn into full blown esophageal cancer. This is a sharp reality for roughly 17,000 people in the United States every year. About 80 percent of these cases involve men, so if you’re a male and you’re experiencing regular bouts of heartburn, visit a specialist. Heartburn does not mean that you will develop cancer, but it is a common symptom in esophageal cancer patients, so keep an eye on the condition. If you have any questions or want a doctor to take a look at your throat, reach out to Dr. Koeplin’s office today.
