Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Disease > E > Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Cancer - esophagus

Definition:

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor of the esophagus (the muscular tube that propels food from the mouth to the stomach).

Causes and Risks

Esophageal cancer is relatively uncommon in the United States, and occurs most often in men over 50 years old. The incidence is less than 5 out of 100,000 people. There are two main types of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Squamous cell cancer is associated with smoking and alcohol consumption. The incidence of this disease in the United States has remained relatively constant, while the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus has risen dramatically.

Barrett's esophagus, a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma.

Ency. home > Disease > E > Esophageal cancer

[an error occurred while processing this directive]