Overview
Esophagus
Esophagus
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. Rings of muscle called sphincters contract and relax to allow food and liquid to pass.
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer most often occurs in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus.
Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus — a long, hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. Your esophagus helps move the food you swallow from the back of your throat to your stomach to be digested.
Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus. More men than women get esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Incidence rates vary within different geographic locations. In some regions, higher rates of esophageal cancer may be attributed to tobacco and alcohol use or particular nutritional habits and obesity.
Products & Services
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Weight loss without trying
- Chest pain, pressure or burning
- Worsening indigestion or heartburn
- Coughing or hoarseness
Early esophageal cancer typically causes no signs or symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that worry you.
If you've been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition caused by chronic acid reflux, your risk of esophageal cancer is higher. Ask your doctor what signs and symptoms to watch for that may signal that your condition is worsening.
Screening for esophageal cancer may be an option for people with Barrett's esophagus. If you have Barrett's esophagus, discuss the pros and cons of screening with your doctor.
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Causes
It's not exactly clear what causes esophageal cancer.
Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in the esophagus develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. The changes make cells grow and divide out of control. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor in the esophagus that can grow to invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body.
Types of esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is classified according to the type of cells that are involved. The type of esophageal cancer you have helps determine your treatment options. Types of esophageal cancer include:
- Adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma begins in the cells of mucus-secreting glands in the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma occurs most often in the lower portion of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of esophageal cancer in the United States, and it affects primarily white men.
- Squamous cell carcinoma. The squamous cells are flat, thin cells that line the surface of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs most often in the upper and middle portions of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent esophageal cancer worldwide.
- Other rare types. Some rare forms of esophageal cancer include small cell carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma and choriocarcinoma.
Risk factors
It's thought that chronic irritation of your esophagus may contribute to the changes that cause esophageal cancer. Factors that cause irritation in the cells of your esophagus and increase your risk of esophageal cancer include:
- Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Smoking
- Having precancerous changes in the cells of the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus)
- Being obese
- Drinking alcohol
- Having bile reflux
- Having difficulty swallowing because of an esophageal sphincter that won't relax (achalasia)
- Having a steady habit of drinking very hot liquids
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
- Undergoing radiation treatment to the chest or upper abdomen
Complications
As esophageal cancer advances, it can cause complications, such as:
- Obstruction of the esophagus. Cancer may make it difficult for food and liquid to pass through your esophagus.
- Pain. Advanced esophageal cancer can cause pain.
- Bleeding in the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can cause bleeding. Though bleeding is usually gradual, it can be sudden and severe at times.
Prevention
You can take steps to reduce your risk of esophageal cancer. For instance:
- Quit smoking. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about strategies for quitting. Medications and counseling are available to help you quit. If you don't use tobacco, don't start.
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Add a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about strategies to help you lose weight. Aim for a slow and steady weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds a week.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. It helps move the food you swallow from the back of your throat to your stomach to be digested. Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus. It usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus and can occur anywhere along the esophagus. Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and more men than women are affected by it .
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma begins in the cells of mucus-secreting glands in the esophagus and occurs most often in the lower portion of the esophagus. It is the most common form of esophageal cancer in the United States and primarily affects white men. Squamous cell carcinoma, on the other hand, occurs most often in the upper and middle portions of the esophagus and is the most prevalent esophageal cancer worldwide. There are also other rare types of esophageal cancer, such as small cell carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and choriocarcinoma.
The exact cause of esophageal cancer is not clear, but it is thought to be related to chronic irritation of the esophagus. Factors that can increase the risk of esophageal cancer include having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), smoking, having precancerous changes in the cells of the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus), being obese, drinking alcohol, having bile reflux, having difficulty swallowing due to an esophageal sphincter that won't relax (achalasia), having a steady habit of drinking very hot liquids, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, and undergoing radiation treatment to the chest or upper abdomen .
Symptoms of esophageal cancer can include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), weight loss without trying, chest pain, pressure or burning, worsening indigestion or heartburn, coughing or hoarseness. However, early esophageal cancer typically causes no signs or symptoms. If you have persistent signs and symptoms that worry you, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor. If you have been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition caused by chronic acid reflux, your risk of esophageal cancer is higher, and you should discuss screening options with your doctor.
To reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, it is recommended to quit smoking, drink alcohol in moderation or not at all, eat more fruits and vegetables, and maintain a healthy weight.
Please note that the information provided here is based on search result snippets and should not be considered medical advice. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized information and guidance.
