esophagus cancer

The wall of the esophagus has several layers. Cancer of the esophagus -- also referred to as esophageal cancer ... People with Barrett esophagus are at a highly increased risk for developing cancer of the esophagus (estimated at 30-100 ...

Esophageal cancer is a disease where malignant (cancerous) cells arise in the tissues of the esophagus. ... There are two main types of esophageal cancer (depending on how the cells appear under the microscope); approximately half are ...

The esophagus (UK spelling: oesophagus) is a long hollow muscular tube which connects the throat to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is a disease where malignant (cancerous) cells arise in the tissues of the esophagus. The most common symptom is difficulty in swallowing. It can also be associated with weight loss and sometimes pain or discomfort behind the breast bone or in the back - these symptoms should be checked by a doctor but not are sure signs of cancer. There are two main types of esophageal cancer (depending on how the cells appear under the microscope); approximately half are classed as "squamous cell carcinomas" and half as "adenocarcinomas". People with frequent gastric reflux leading to barrest’s have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.

The esophagus is a hollow tube that transfers food from the throat to the stomach, that is the "food tube". The tube starts just below the "epiglottis", the flap that keeps food from going into our trachea (air pipe) when we swallow. It ends at where it joins with the upper portion of the stomach, called the "cardia". The actual area of coinage is called the "gastroesophageal junction". The esophagus is muscular, to help propel food downward with swallowing. It has a complex array of nerves ("plexus") that work to coordinate the swallowing motion. The upper 2/3 of the esophagus has a inner lining ("mucosa") of a special type of cell, called "squamous" cells, which are also found in the mouth and anal region. These cells resist abrasion and heat and are able to heal quickly if damaged, say by the sharp edges on food. The lower 1/3 of the esophagus has an inner lining of a different type of mucosa called "columnar" cells.



This becomes important for considering the cancers that arise in the esophagus. If the lower portion of the esophagus becomes infiltrated with intestinal-like glands, as it is prone to do with prolonged irritation, then this is called "Barrett's" esophagus and is a risk factor to get cancer, as will be seen.