Learn More
See, Play and Learn
- No links available
Resources
For You
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
- How Is Cancer of the Esophagus Diagnosed? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
-
Stages of Esophageal Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- Understanding Esophageal Dilation (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) Also in Spanish
-
Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
-
Upper GI Endoscopy
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Can Cancer of the Esophagus 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)
- Esophagus Cancer: Palliative Therapy (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
-
Treatment Option Overview (Esophageal Cancer)
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
-
Treatment Options by Stage (Esophageal Cancer)
(National Cancer Institute)
Living With
- What Happens After Treatment for Cancer of the Esophagus? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
-
Barrett's Esophagus
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
-
Risks of Esophageal Cancer Screening
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
- What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Cancer of the Esophagus? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
-
Cancer of the Esophagus
(National Cancer Institute)
-
Preoperative Chemotherapy, Radiation Improve Survival in Esophageal Cancer (Updated)
(National Cancer Institute)
- What Are the Key Statistics about Cancer of the Esophagus? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- What's New in Esophageal Cancer Research and Treatment? (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: Dose escalation based on 18F-FDG PET/CT response in definitive chemoradiotherapy of...
- Article: Application Value of the Diagnosis during Early Carcinoma of Upper Digestive...
- Article: Efficacy and Safety of Apatinib plus Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced...
- 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)
- Find a Cancer Doctor (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- 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