Symptom 2. Difficulty in Swallowing (Dysphagia): A Troubling Signal
Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, may not seem alarming at first. We’ve all had the experience of food or drink “going down the wrong pipe” or a sore throat that made swallowing uncomfortable. However, when this symptom persists, it should raise some flags.
Dysphagia is characterized by a sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest. It may also be accompanied by choking, coughing, or a refusal to eat due to the discomfort. In the context of PSCCT, this is caused by an enlarged thyroid gland or tumor pressing against the esophagus, the pipe that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
In a case series study published in the “World Journal of Surgical Oncology”, dysphagia was frequently observed in PSCCT patients. The growing tumor compresses the esophagus, making it difficult for food and liquids to pass down into the stomach.
This symptom can often be mistaken for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a motility disorder of the esophagus. However, if it’s accompanied by a persistent cough or changes in your voice, it might be a symptom of PSCCT. (2)
