Esophageal Cancer

The Esophageal Cancer topic includes research on the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancers that originate in the tissues lining the esophagus.

Esophageal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the esophagus, which is the hollow, muscular tube that moves food and liquid from the throat to the stomach. Esophageal cancer starts on the inside lining of the esophagus and spreads outward through the other layers as it grows. Signs and symptoms of this condition include unexplained weight loss and painful or difficult swallowing.

The two most common forms of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Certain lifestyle factors like exercise, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help reduce a person’s risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Treatment strategies for esophageal cancer include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, among others. In its later stages, esophageal cancer can be treated but not cured.