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Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is tumors or an abnormal growth of cells in the esophagus. The esophagus is the food passageway that connects the throat to the stomach.

Men and women age 45 to 70 have the greatest risk for esophageal cancer. Men are 3 times more likely to get esophageal cancer. African Americans have 3 times more risk than white Americans do.

Common risk factors include:

• using tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco
• long-term heavy drinking
• the combination of long-term smoking and alcohol consumption is the greatest risk factor
• long-term reflux of fluid from the stomach into the lower esophagus and
• esophageal cancer is more common in men and people over age 60

Most esophageal cancers do not cause any symptoms until the cancer has advanced to a stage that is too late for a cure. The main symptom is difficulty in swallowing food. There is a sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest.

Other late occurring signs are:

• pain with swallowing
• pain in the throat or back, behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades
• decreased appetite and weight loss
• hiccups with the feeling of food getting stuck in your throat or chest
• vomiting and
• coughing up blood

Anyone with these symptoms should be medically evaluated. Esophageal cancer is diagnosed with several tests including upper GI x-rays, looking down inside the esophagus using a flexible tube with an attached light (endoscopy), CT scan, or endoscopic ultrasound.

Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Surgery may remove part of the esophagus and nearby lymph nodes. It can cure some patients whose cancer has not spread beyond the esophagus. For others, it simply relieves some symptoms.

Chemotherapy uses special anticancer drugs given by mouth or an injection through the skin or into a vein. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Combining surgery with other treatments like chemotherapy and, or, radiation therapy may help some patients live longer and with fewer symptoms.

Early diagnosis is key to survival. If you have any of the symptoms and are at a high risk for this disease, seek medical evaluation right away.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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