Esophageal CancerSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Esophageal Cancer Overview
Learn About Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is cancer that starts in the esophagus. This is the tube through which food moves from the mouth to the stomach.
Cancer - esophagus
Esophageal cancer is not common in the United States. It occurs most often in men over age 50 years.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. These two types look different from each other under the microscope.
Squamous cell esophageal cancer is linked to smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
Adenocarcinoma is the more common type of esophageal cancer. Having Barrett esophagus increases the risk for this type of cancer. Acid reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) can develop into Barrett esophagus. Other risk factors include smoking, being male, or being obese.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Backward movement of food through the esophagus and possibly mouth (regurgitation)
- Chest pain not related to eating
- Difficulty swallowing solids or liquids
- Heartburn
- Vomiting blood
- Weight loss
EGD will be used to obtain a tissue sample from the esophagus to diagnose cancer.
When the cancer is only in the esophagus and has not spread, surgery may be done. The cancer and part, or all, of the esophagus is removed. The surgery may be done using:
- Open surgery, during which 1 or 2 large incisions are made.
- Minimally invasive surgery, during which 2 to 4 small incisions are made in the belly. A laparoscope with a tiny camera is inserted into the belly through one of the incisions.
Radiation therapy may also be used instead of surgery in some cases when the cancer has not spread outside the esophagus.
Either chemotherapy, radiation, or both may be used to shrink the tumor and make surgery easier to perform.
If the person is too ill to have major surgery or the cancer has spread to other organs, chemotherapy or radiation may be used to help reduce symptoms. This is called palliative therapy. In such cases, the disease is usually not curable.
Besides a change in diet, other treatments that may be used to help the person swallow include:
- Dilating (widening) the esophagus using an endoscope. Sometimes a stent is placed to keep the esophagus open.
- A feeding tube into the stomach.
- Photodynamic therapy, in which a special medicine is injected into the tumor and is then exposed to light. The light activates the medicine that attacks the tumor.
Office
Wayne Hofstetter is a Thoracic Surgeon practicing medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Hofstetter is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Cancer. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Esophageal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Endoscopy, and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery.
Moffitt Cancer Center, Magnolia Campus
Sarah Hoffe is a Radiation Oncologist practicing medicine in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Hoffe is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Cancer. She is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Pancreatic Cancer, Anal Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Lymphadenectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy. Dr. Hoffe is currently accepting new patients.
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Zhongxing Liao is a Radiation Oncologist practicing medicine in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Liao is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Cancer. She is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Esophageal Cancer, and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
When the cancer has not spread outside the esophagus, surgery may improve the chance of survival.
When the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, a cure is generally not possible. Treatment is directed toward relieving symptoms.
Complications may include:
- Pneumonia
- Severe weight loss from not eating enough
Contact your health care provider if you have difficulty swallowing with no known cause and it does not get better. Also contact your provider if you have other symptoms of esophageal cancer.
To reduce your risk of cancer of the esophagus:
- Do not smoke.
- Limit or do not drink alcoholic beverages.
- Get checked by your provider if you have severe GERD.
- Get regular endoscopies as recommended by your provider if you have Barrett esophagus.
Summary: This is a proof-of-concept study designed to investigate HER3-DXd monotherapy in locally advanced unresectable or metastatic solid tumors. The study is enrolling cohorts of participants with melanoma \[cutaneous/acral\], squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN), HER2-negative gastric cancer ovarian carcinoma, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal carcinoma, p...
Background: * Chromatin is is the structural building block of a chromosome. It is found inside the nucleus of the cell and consists of a complex of DNA and protein. * Cancers of the lung, pleura (lung lining) and esophagus show profound changes in chromatin structure that may affect the course of disease in participants. * A better understanding of these diseases and the genetic changes associated with them ...
Published Date: July 22, 2025
Published By: Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida at Gastroenterology Consultants of Boca Raton. Affiliate Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Ajani JA, D'Amico TA, Bentrem DJ. Esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancers, version 2.2023, NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2023;21(4): 393-422. PMID: 37015332 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37015332/.
Ku GY, Ilson DH. Cancer of the esophagus. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 71.
National Cancer Institute website. Esophageal cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/esophageal/hp/esophageal-treatment-pdq. Updated March 21, 2025. Accessed July 28, 2025.