Esophageal Cancer

Summary

The esophagus is a hollow tube that carries food and liquids from your throat to your stomach. Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause symptoms. Later, you may have symptoms such as:

• Painful or difficult swallowing
• Weight loss
• A hoarse voice or cough that doesn’t go away

You’re at greater risk for getting esophageal cancer if you smoke, drink heavily, or have acid reflux. Your risk also goes up as you age

Your doctor uses imaging tests and a biopsy to diagnose esophageal cancer. Treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. You might also need nutritional support, since the cancer or treatment may make it hard to swallow.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute

Encyclopedia

• After chemotherapy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Esophagectomy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• ASGE: Find a Doctor American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Find an ENT American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
• Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services National Cancer Institute

Related Issues

• Barrett’s Esophagus National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Questions to Ask About Esophageal Cancer American Cancer Society
• Risks of Esophageal Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Can Esophageal Cancer Be Found Early? American Cancer Society
• Esophageal Cancer Prevention National Cancer Institute

Statistics and Research

• Cancer of the Esophagus National Cancer Institute
• Key Statistics for Esophageal Cancer American Cancer Society
• Preoperative Chemotherapy, Radiation Improve Survival in Esophageal Cancer (Updated) National Cancer Institute
• What’s New in Esophageal Cancer Research? American Cancer Society

Children

• Childhood Esophageal Cancer Treatment National Cancer Institute

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Esophageal Neoplasms National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• Coughing up blood Medical Encyclopedia
• Diet and eating after esophagectomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Esophageal cancer Medical Encyclopedia
• Esophagectomy – minimally invasive Medical Encyclopedia
• Esophagectomy – open Medical Encyclopedia
• Swallowing problems Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute

Treatments and Therapies

• Drugs Approved for Esophageal Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Supportive Therapy for Esophageal Cancer American Cancer Society
• Treatment Option Overview (Esophageal Cancer) National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• Esophageal Cancer Society of Thoracic Surgeons
• Esophageal Cancer National Cancer Institute
• General Information about Esophageal Cancer National Cancer Institute
• What Is Cancer of the Esophagus? American Cancer Society

Diagnosis and Tests

• Esophageal Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute
• Stages of Esophageal Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Tests for Esophageal Cancer American Cancer Society
• Understanding Esophageal Dilation American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Upper GI Endoscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Living With

• Living as an Esophagus Cancer Survivor American Cancer Society

Journal Articles

• Esophageal Cancer