Cancer of the Esophagus

• Cancer of the Esophagus Introduction
• Risk Factors
• Cancer of the Esophagus Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Cancer of the Esophagus Treatment
• Prognosis
• Prevention
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• References
• Authors and Editors

Cancer of the Esophagus Introduction

The esophagus is a muscular tube measuring 20-25 cm (8-10 in) long and 2-3 cm (0.75-1.25 in) wide that serves as a conduit for moving food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. Two major types of esophageal cancers exist, as follows:

• Squamous cell carcinoma arises from the epithelial cells that line the esophagus.



• Adenocarcinoma arises from the esophageal glands or within a segment of Barrett esophagus.



• Most tumors occur in the lower esophagus.
  
  
  • Forty percent occur in the lowest third.
  
  
  
  • Forty-five percent occur in the middle third.
  
  
  
  • Fifteen percent occur in the upper third.