Definition of esophageal cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach). Two types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the esophagus) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
Estimated new cases and deaths from esophageal cancer in the United States in 2012:
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915175237im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915175237im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
See the online booklet What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Esophagus to learn about esophageal cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915175237im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
![]() | |
![]() ![]() | ![]() |
![]() ![]() | ![]() |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915175237im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
See the online booklet What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Esophagus to learn about esophageal cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Treatment Information about treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy
Prevention, Genetics, Causes
Information related to prevention, genetics, and risk factors- Esophageal Cancer Prevention
[ patient ] [ health professional ] - Clinical Trials to Prevent Esophageal Cancer
- Smoking Home Page
- Cancer Genetics Services Directory
- Cancer Genetics Overview
[ health professional ]
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
[ health professional ]
Screening and Testing
Information about methods of cancer detection including new imaging technologies, tumor markers, and biopsy procedures- Esophageal Cancer Screening
[ patient ] [ health professional ] - Clinical Trials to Screen for Esophageal Cancer
- Interpreting Laboratory Test Results
[ patient ] [ health professional ]