When to worry about persistent indigestion with oesophageal cancer

Indigestion can feel like burning, discomfort or fullness in the upper abdomen or chest, sometimes with acid coming up into the throat. Most people with oesophageal cancer notice persistent indigestion, although the symptom can also have causes unrelated to cancer. Treatment, medicines, reflux and changes in eating can all affect symptoms.

A change from your usual pattern matters more than a single episode. Tell your team if the discomfort is becoming more frequent, lasts despite the plan you were given, wakes you at night, or makes eating and drinking difficult. They may review your medicines, swallowing symptoms, hydration and treatment effects before deciding whether you need tests or a change in care.

Keep a brief record of when symptoms happen, what you ate or drank, whether swallowing is affected, and which medicines helped. Take this information to your oncology appointment or call the contact number supplied by your cancer service. Do not start, stop or increase indigestion medicines without checking, because some medicines can interact with cancer treatment.

Until you receive advice, smaller meals, eating slowly and remaining upright after food may reduce reflux for some people. Choose foods and fluids that you can swallow comfortably, and mention any reduced intake to your team.

Contact your cancer team promptly if indigestion is accompanied by worsening difficulty swallowing, food sticking, repeated vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or an inability to keep fluids down. Seek emergency help for vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, severe chest pain, fainting, breathing difficulty, or sudden marked weakness. These signs need assessment regardless of whether indigestion has been present for a long time.

Ask what might be contributing to the change, whether any current treatment or medicine could be aggravating it, which warning signs should trigger an urgent call, and what you can safely use for relief. Ask whom to contact outside clinic hours and how to protect your nutrition and hydration if swallowing becomes harder.