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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
Diagnosis and Tests
- Esophageal Cancer Screening (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Stages of Esophageal Cancer (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Tests for Esophageal Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Upper GI Endoscopy (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
- Upper GI Series (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Can Esophageal Cancer Be Found Early? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Esophageal Cancer Prevention (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
- Drugs Approved for Esophageal Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
- Supportive Therapy for Esophageal Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Treatment Option Overview (Esophageal Cancer) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Living With
- Living as an Esophagus Cancer Survivor (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Barrett's Esophagus (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Questions to Ask About Esophageal Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Risks of Esophageal Cancer Screening (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- Cancer of the Esophagus (National Cancer Institute)
- Key Statistics for Esophageal Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Preoperative Chemotherapy, Radiation Improve Survival in Esophageal Cancer (Updated) (National Cancer Institute)
- What's New in Esophageal Cancer Research? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Esophageal Neoplasms (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: The experiences of patients with oesophageal cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy treatment: a...
- Article: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus pembrolizumab for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma...
- Article: Radiotherapy with S-1 for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma...
- Esophageal Cancer -- see more articles
Reference Desk
- Dictionary of Cancer Terms (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society
- ASGE: Find a Doctor (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)
- Choosing a Cancer Doctor (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Find an ENT (American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery)
- National Cancer Institute Also in Spanish
- Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Children
- Childhood Esophageal Cancer Treatment (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Coughing up blood (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Diet and eating after esophagectomy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Esophageal cancer (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Esophagectomy - minimally invasive (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Esophagectomy - open (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Swallowing problems (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish