ESOPHAGEAL CANCER
![]()
Canceroftheesophagusisthe10thmostcommoncancer worldwide.Youresophagus,thelongmusculartubethat transportsfoodfromyourthroattoyourstomach,isthesource ofthisdisease.Thesymptomsofesophagealcancermaynot beapparentuntilcancerhasspread.
Esophagealcancerhappenswhencancerouscellsinyour esophagealtissuebegintomultiply,eventuallycreatinga tumour.Esophagealcancerisaggressive,butmanypeople don’tnoticesymptomsuntilaftercancerhasspread.
Adenocarcinoma:Thisisthemostcommontypeof esophagealcancerintheU.S.Itdevelopsinthetissue thatmakesmucusthathelpsyouswallow.Itusually affectsthelowerpartofyouresophagus. Squamouscellcarcinoma:Thistypebeginsinsquamous cellsthatlineyouresophagus.Squamouscellesophageal cancerusuallyaffectstheupperandmiddlepartsofyour esophagus.
Tobaccouse:Thisincludessmokingandusingsmokelesstobacco.
Alcohol use: Chronic and/or heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of esophagealcancer.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese may cause inflammation in your esophagus thatcouldbecomecancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is a common virus that can cause tissue changesinyourvocalcordsandmouthandonyourhands,feetandgenitals.
History of cancer: People who’ve had cancer of the neck or head have a greater riskforesophagealcancer.
Occupational exposure to certain chemicals: People exposed to dry cleaning solventsoveralongtimeareathigherriskofdevelopingesophagealcancer.