Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach.

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Esophageal cancer happens in the esophagus, the tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach. Esophageal tumors usually start in the inner layer of the esophagus and may eventually spread.

The most common types of esophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of esophageal cancer. It usually affects the lower part of the esophagus, where it meets the stomach. Squamous cell carcinoma, also sometimes called epidermoid carcinoma, is most often found in the upper parts of the esophagus that are closer to the throat.

Expert, multidisciplinary esophageal cancer care

At University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, each esophageal cancer patient is cared for by a team of experts that includes radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, social workers, pathologists, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory-based scientists, and the only general thoracic surgeons in Iowa.

Our surgeons use the most advanced minimally invasive techniques, which can lead to shorter recovery times and better success rates.

Your multidisciplinary care team will work together to choose the best treatment options for you and your cancer. Together, they will create a personalized treatment plan to address your needs.

Risk factors for esophageal cancer

Most people diagnosed with esophageal cancer are 55 or older, and men are more likely to get esophageal cancer than women.

People who have gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD or acid reflux, have a slightly higher risk of getting esophageal cancer, especially if they’ve had GERD for a long time. People who have had GERD for a long time can get a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, and that condition is known to lead to esophageal cancer.

Additional risk factors for esophageal cancer include:

Smoking

Alcohol use

Being overweight or obese

Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer

Many of the symptoms of esophageal cancer are related to eating or digestion, like painful swallowing. Other possible symptoms are:

Unexpected weight loss

Heartburn or indigestion

Vomiting

Pain down the center of the chest

Coughing or a hoarse voice

If you have any of these symptoms, that doesn’t mean you have cancer. If you’re a person who is at risk for getting esophageal cancer, you should tell your provider that you’re having any of those symptoms.

How esophageal cancer is diagnosed

If you have symptoms of esophageal cancer, your provider will perform a physical examination and a review of your health and family history.

If additional testing is needed, they may recommend one or more of the following:

Endoscopy. This can be done with an instrument called an endoscope, which goes through your mouth or nose and down your throat. It allows your provider to collect cells from your esophagus or, in some cases, look at your esophagus through a tiny camera.

Biopsy. If a tumor or suspicious cells are found during an endoscopy, your provider will remove a small piece of tissue that will be viewed under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Cancer patient in hallway at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

Every cancer diagnosis is unique.

That’s why getting a second opinion matters. Our cancer experts can confirm your diagnosis and help you understand all your treatment options.

Learn more about getting a second opinion

Treatments for esophageal cancer

Your treatment for esophageal cancer will depend on the stage and type of cancer. Esophageal cancer can be treated several different ways, and sometimes more than one therapy is used.

Most esophageal cancers can be removed by a surgeon. Our surgeons have training in the most advanced minimally invasive techniques.

Specialized treatments like laser therapy that uses high-intensity light or electrocoagulation, that uses an electric current are also used to kill cancer cells.

We also offer clinical trials of the latest therapies. Our providers also are esophageal cancer researchers who participate in studies of promising new therapies. They make these treatments available to Holden patients before they’re widely available on the market.