Overview
Esophageal cancer begins in the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. It is an aggressive cancer, often diagnosed at a late stage. There are two major types:
- Adenocarcinoma: typically starts in the lower esophagus; associated with Barrett’s esophagus and GERD
- Squamous cell carcinoma: usually found in the upper or middle esophagus; linked to smoking and alcohol use
Symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Unintentional weight loss
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Persistent cough or hoarseness
- Vomiting or regurgitation
- Feeling of food stuck in the throat
Causes & Risk Factors
- Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Obesity
- Male gender, age >60
- HPV infection (rare, mostly for squamous cell type)
Diagnosis
- Upper endoscopy with biopsy
- Barium swallow X-ray
- CT scan, PET-CT, or endoscopic ultrasound for staging
- Bronchoscopy (if upper esophagus involved)
Treatment Options
- Surgery (esophagectomy for operable cases)
- Chemoradiation (often used pre-surgery)
- Chemotherapy (for advanced/metastatic disease)
- Targeted therapy (e.g., HER2-positive tumors)
- Immunotherapy (PD-1 inhibitors for advanced cases)
Prognosis
- Varies by stage and tumor location
- 5-year survival rate:
- Localized: ~47%
- Regional: ~25%
- Distant: ~6%
Living with this Cancer Type
- Nutritional support and swallowing rehabilitation
- Feeding tube placement if needed
- Pain and symptom management
- Psychological support
Prevention & Screening
- Manage GERD and screen for Barrett’s esophagus
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol
- Maintain healthy body weight
- No routine screening for general population
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between the two main types?
A: Adenocarcinoma is linked to GERD and occurs lower in the esophagus; squamous cell carcinoma is linked to tobacco/alcohol and occurs higher up.
Q: Is esophageal cancer curable?
A: Yes, if caught early and treated aggressively.
Q: Can I eat normally after treatment?
A: You may need dietary modifications or a feeding tube, especially after surgery.
Resources
- Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association
- American Cancer Society
- ClinicalTrials.gov
Understand Precision Testing
Learn how liquid biopsy and chemo sensitivity testing can personalize your treatment plan.
Make Informed Decisions
Gain knowledge to actively participate in treatment discussions with your healthcare team.
Improve Treatment Outcomes
Discover how precision medicine and metabolic therapies can enhance treatment effectiveness.
Start Your Educational Journey Today
Empower yourself with knowledge about precision metabolic oncology and take an active role in your cancer care journey.
Need More Information?
Our team of oncology experts is here to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options.