*Please note: This slide show represents a visual interpretation and is not intended to be a substitute for medical and/or clinical advice.
What is the esophagus?
The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach.
Your esophagus is in the center of your chest. Cancer can develop in the upper, middle, or lower esophagus.
What is esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer starts in the cells lining the esophagus.
It is a serious cancer. Only about one in 5 people survives for 5 years after an esophageal cancer diagnosis. This is because it is often not found until an advanced stage, when tumors begin blocking food traveling to the stomach.
Who is at risk for esophageal cancer?
In general, older people are at higher risk for esophageal cancer. However, the incidence has tripled among younger patients in the US in recent decades.
Men are at higher risk than women. Men are four times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than women.
What are the main types of esophageal cancer?
There are two main types of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.1 Both are caused by changes in esophageal cells.
What are the main types of esophageal cancer?
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, or ESCC, is the most common type worldwide. Esophageal adenocarcinoma, or EAC, is more common in Western countries, including the United States. In recent years, the rate of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the US has increased 700%.
Some other cancers can happen in the esophagus, but these are very rare.1
Causes and risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)
The most common risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, or ESCC, is smoking and drinking alcohol. Doing both these things doubles your risk of ESCC compared to doing just one or the other.
Other ESCC risk factors include drinking very hot liquids and eating a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables and high in red meat and processed foods. HPV or Human Papillomavirus can also cause ESCC.
People with a rare swallowing disorder called achalasia are also at higher risk.
Causes and risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC)
Risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma include:
Being a white, non-Hispanic male
Being over 50
Having frequent or chronic acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, especially if your symptoms start before age 30
Being overweight, especially around the middle
Using tobacco, now or in the past
Having a family history of esophageal adenocarcinoma or a condition called Barrett's esophagus
If you have 3 of these risk factors, esophageal cancer experts recommend an exam called an upper endoscopy.
About Barrett’s esophagus
Among other things, an upper endoscopy looks for signs of Barrett's esophagus. This is the only condition that is known to lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma.
About Barrett’s esophagus
In Barrett's, acid and other stomach contents splash into the esophagus, changing the lining to be more like the stomach lining. These changes can lead to cancer.
About Barrett’s esophagus
There are no specific symptoms of Barrett's esophagus, and if you have heartburn, you may even find that your symptoms go away.
However, having Barrett's makes it 25 times more likely that you will develop esophageal adenocarcinoma.
GERD and Barrett’s esophagus
About 4 in 10 people with Barrett's esophagus have no GERD symptoms, but many do. Besides heartburn, these may include:
A cough, hoarse voice, sore throat, or painful swallowing
Feeling like there is a lump in your throat or food gets stuck
Burping, nausea, regurgitation, and vomiting
Chest pain
A choking sensation when you lie down
Tooth erosion
If you have GERD symptoms or a family history of Barrett's or esophageal cancer, ask your doctor about being checked for those conditions.
Can I reduce my risk for esophageal cancer?
You can reduce your risk of esophageal cancer.
As with any cancer, one of the best prevention strategies is a healthy lifestyle.
Avoid smoking and tobacco products
Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption
Avoid red meat and processed foods
Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
Exercise regularly
Maintain a healthy weight
Early Detection Saves Lives
Early diagnosis of any esophageal cancer increases your chance for survival.
Someone diagnosed before esophageal cancer spreads is more than 8 times likelier to survive than someone whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Today, about three-fourths of patients do not discover their esophageal cancer until it has spread.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Diagnosis and treatmentof Barrett's esophagus can prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma from ever developing.
References
American Cancer Society. What is esophagus cancer? Last revised: March 20, 2020. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/esophagus-cancer/about/what-is-cancer-of-the-esophagus.html.
Accessed May 15, 2023.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer.Net. Esophageal cancer: Statistics. Approved February 2023. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/esophageal-cancer/statistics. Accessed May 15, 2023.
American Cancer Society. Esophageal cancer risk factors. Last revised: June 9, 2020. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/esophagus-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html.
Accessed May 15, 2023.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer.Net. Esophageal cancer: Symptoms and signs. Approved September 2022. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/esophageal-cancer/symptoms-and-signs.
Accessed May 15, 2023.
American Cancer Society. What is esophagus cancer? Last revised: March 20, 2020. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/esophagus-cancer/about/what-is-cancer-of-the-esophagus.html.
Accessed May 15, 2023.
Masab M. Esophageal cancer: Pathophysiology. Medscape.
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/277930-overview#a4. Accessed May 15, 2023.
To H, Clemons NJ, Duong CP, Trainer AH, Phillips WA. The genetics of Barrett's esophagus: A familial and population-based perspective. Dig Dis Sci. 2016;61(7):1826-1834.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer.Net. Esophageal cancer: Stages and grades. Approved September 2022. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/esophageal-cancer/stages-and-grades. Accessed May 22, 2023.
Slide Show - Understanding Esophageal Cancer
This slide show provides an overview of esophageal cancer and the two main types: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Click through to learn about causes, risk factors, symptoms, and prevention strategies to reduce your risk. You will also learn about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a condition called Barrett's esophagus, the only condition that is known to lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma.
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This educational activity has been developed by the Esophageal Cancer Action Network and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.
Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The visuals provided are meant to be representations only. No specific brand is being promoted or endorsed.
This activity is supported by independent educational grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck.
Thank you to the funders of You And Esophageal Cancer. All content is developed independently by the Esophageal Cancer Action Network and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., in collaboration with an Expert Faculty group; funders are allowed no influence on the content of You And Esophageal Cancer.
This website is part of the Animated Patient® series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.
