Depending on the symptoms, they may recommend additional testing.
One commonly used test is an upper endoscopy, also called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD. During this procedure, a flexible camera is passed through the mouth to examine the esophagus and upper digestive tract.
If an abnormal area is found, doctors can take a biopsy, in which a small tissue sample is examined by a pathologist.
Other examinations may also be used to understand whether a suspected tumor has spread and to determine its location and stage.
A diagnosis cannot be made from symptoms alone. Proper testing is necessary.
Why Listening to Your Body Matters
Stories involving cancer often contain an important lesson: people sometimes become accustomed to symptoms that gradually become part of everyday life.
A person may think:
“It is probably just reflux.”
“I am eating too quickly.”
“I will make an appointment if it gets worse.”
Sometimes that explanation turns out to be correct.
