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Cancer of the Esophagus

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.



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Esophageal Cancer »

Esophageal carcinoma was well described at the beginning of the 19th century, and the first successful resection was performed in 1913 by Frank Torek.

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