Dysphagia in this condition is due to degenerative changes at the junction of the pharynx and esophagus, resulting in atrophy (wasting away) of the mucosa. Eventually, this may lead to the formation of a mucosal web in the esophagus and make it difficult for a person to swallow. 

Cancer at both these sites makes it difficult for sufferers to eat and swallow food and this leads to loss of appetite. In addition, cancer of the larynx makes it difficult for a person to speak, causing a hoarse voice.

Cancers of the mouth and pharynx make chewing and swallowing difficult, and many patients experience anorexia and lose weight. These tumors may be surgically removed and/or radiotherapy or chemotherapy used. Before treatment, a soft, semi-solid, or fluid diet should be given.

Strokes or brain damage may occur because of one of the following:

• Bleeding due to a rapid rise in blood pressure, resulting in the rupture of a vessel.

Cancer of the stomach affects mainly middle-aged and elderly people and is more common among men than women. Its early diagnosis is difficult; this is particularly unfortunate as it can be permanently cured only by radical surgery before metastasis has occurred. Clearly the risk that the cancer will spread will increase according to the length of time before the diagnosis is confirmed.

In the past patients with peptic ulcers were given very restricted bland diets consisting of little else but milk, products containing milk, and carbohydrates, and they were advised to continue with such diets long after their original ulcers had healed. It was thought that these regimens would reduce the production of acid and it was not realized until recently that they were ineffective and could lead to under nourishment. It has now been demonstrated that patients with peptic ulcers who eat a mixed diet recover much more quickly then those who are maintained on a milk drip. Far from suppressing the secretion of acid, as was originally thought, it has now been shown that milk may increase it.

Cirrhosis is the final stage of injury to the liver. It is characterized by fibrosis of the connective tissue and degeneration of the liver cells, impairing the function of the liver. The pathophysiological causes of cirrhosis are unknown, but it is commonly seen in people suffering from biliary obstructions, chronic hepatitis and other infections of the liver, malnutrition, and alcoholism.

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer that develops in the lungs and spread throughout the body. Your lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide when you breathe in and out. Lung cancer is the most common cancer that leads to mortality worldwide. Lung cancer is most common in smokers, although it can also affect persons who have never smoked. The length of time and number of cigarettes you've smoked raises your chance of lung cancer. You can dramatically reduce your risks of acquiring lung cancer by quitting smoking, even if you've been smoking for a long time.

Miscarriage is described as "spontaneous abortion" in medical terms.

When an embryo or fetus dies before the 20th week of pregnancy, it is referred to as a miscarriage. Miscarriage is most common early in pregnancy, with 8 out of 10 miscarriages occurring in the first three months.

This type of pregnancy loss affects a large number of women. Unfortunately, 10-20% of pregnancies result in miscarriage. Although miscarriage is a regular occurrence, it can be emotionally draining. Grief and loss are common following a miscarriage.

Breast cancer is diagnosed using a variety of tests. They may also do tests to see if cancer has progressed beyond the breast and lymph nodes beneath the arm. Metastasis is a term used to describe the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. Doctors may also conduct tests to determine the most effective therapies.

The tests listed below can be used to identify breast cancer or as follow-up testing after a diagnosis.