Here’s a summary of the recent news story about a man whose early warning sign of esophageal cancer was ignored — and a brief look at what experts recommend.
🔎 What happened: A man’s ignored symptom
- A man named Mark Sevillano Jr. reported that his first noticeable symptom was difficulty swallowing — he felt like food was “stuck” in his throat/chest when he tried to eat.
- He said that initially drinking water or “chugging” water helped move the food down — so he thought it was nothing serious.
- But over two months, his swallowing problem worsened, even for liquids.
- When he consulted a doctor, he says the doctor was “not too concerned,” partly because he was relatively young and there was no family history of cancer.
- A swallow test was recommended — but only scheduled several months later. By the time he got a CT scan (after an emergency visit), doctors found a mass in his lower esophagus. Biopsy later confirmed Stage 2 esophageal cancer.
Mark now urges others to advocate for themselves: if something feels wrong — even if it seems minor — get timely medical attention or second opinions.
⚠️ What are common early signs of esophageal cancer
Medical experts agree that esophageal cancer often begins with subtle symptoms — sometimes easy to dismiss as reflux, indigestion, or aging.
Typical early warning signs include:
- Difficulty swallowing (especially solids at first) — “food feels stuck” sensation
- Progressive swallowing problems (later affecting softer foods or even liquids)
- Unexplained weight loss (because eating becomes hard)
- Persistent or worsening heartburn / acid reflux / indigestion not responding to usual treatments
- Chest or throat discomfort / pain when swallowing, or chest pressure — sometimes mistaken for heartburn
- Chronic cough, hoarseness or changes in voice — sometimes when the tumor irritates surrounding tissues
Because these symptoms overlap with common conditions (like acid reflux), they are frequently dismissed — which makes early detection more difficult.
🎯 What experts and this story teach us: Don’t ignore persistent trouble swallowing or new digestive symptoms
- If you experience difficulty swallowing (especially if it gets worse over time) — even if it starts mildly — it’s a red flag.
- If swallowing issues are accompanied by weight loss, persistent reflux/heartburn, chest discomfort, or voice changes, follow-up is especially important.
Because early esophageal cancer may show no or vague symptoms, sometimes patients need to push for tests (like a swallow test, endoscopy, or imaging) if symptoms persist.