Esophageal
Cancer
Growth of cells that starts in the esophagus. The esophagus is a long, hollow tube that runs from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus helps move swallowed food from the back of the throat to the stomach to be digested.
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Signs to look for:
Esophageal cancer may not cause symptoms early on. Symptoms of esophageal cancer usually happen when the disease is advanced.
Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:
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Difficulty swallowing.
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Chest pain, pressure or burning.
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Coughing or hoarseness.
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Weight loss without trying.
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Worsening indigestion or heartburn.
Risk Factors:
Risk factors for squamous cell esophageal cancer include:
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using tobacco
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drinking a lot of alcohol
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being malnourished (lacking nutrients and/or calories)
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having a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
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having tylosis (a rare inherited disorder that causes thickening of the skin on the hands and feet and is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell esophageal cancer)
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having achalasia (a rare condition that affects the ability of food and liquids to pass from the esophagus into the stomach)
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having swallowed lye (a chemical found in some cleaning fluids)
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drinking very hot liquids on a regular basis
Risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma include:
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having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
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having Barrett esophagus
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having a history of using drugs that relax the lower esophageal sphincter (the ring of muscle that opens and closes the opening between the esophagus and the stomach)
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having excess body weight (overweight)
Who's affected:
Esophageal cancer affects about 4 in 100,000 people in the U.S. It typically affects males who are age 60 or older. People who are Black and people who are Asian with this condition usually have squamous cell esophageal cancer. People who are white are more likely to have adenocarcinoma esophageal cancer.