Esophagus Cancer and Other NonCancerous Disease

What is esophageal cancer?
The esophagus is a long, muscular tube that runs from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus is made up of several layers of muscle that contract to help move food down the tube and into the stomach. A special muscle called the esophageal sphincter acts as a valve, opening to allow food and liquids to pass from the esophagus into the stomach.

Esophageal cancer results when abnormal cells grow out of control in esophageal tissue. Eventually, the cells form a mass called a tumor.

There are two main types of esophageal cancer:

Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the cells (called squamous cells) that line the esophagus. This cancer usually affects the upper and middle parts of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma develops in the tissue that produces mucus that aids in swallowing. It generally occurs in the lower part of the esophagus.
Rates of squamous cell carcinoma in the US have been falling, while adenocarcinoma rates have been rising.

What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer may have no obvious symptoms in its early stages. The symptom people notice first is difficulty swallowing. As the tumor grows, it narrows the opening of the esophagus, making swallowing difficult and/or painful. Other symptoms of esophageal cancer can include:

• Pain in the throat or back, behind the breastbone, or between the shoulder blades
• Vomiting or coughing up blood
• Heartburn
• Hoarseness or chronic cough
• Unintentional weight loss