About Cancer
Oesophageal cancer is when abnormal cells in the food pipe start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. The food pipe is also called the oesophagus or gullet.
The food pipe (oesophagus) is part of your digestive system. It is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. It lies behind the windpipe (trachea) and in front of the spine.
At the top of the oesophagus there is a ring of muscle called the upper oesophageal sphincter. This sphincter opens the oesophagus when food or liquid comes toward it. It also stops food from going down the windpipe.
The lower part of the oesophagus joins the stomach. This is called the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ). There is a ring of muscle called the cardiac sphincter at the GOJ. This controls food moving from the oesophagus into the stomach. Between meals, the cardiac sphincter closes. This stops stomach contents and acid moving backwards from the stomach into the oesophagus.
The wall of the oesophagus has several layers of tissue. These include the inner layer (mucosa), muscle, and connective tissue. Oesophageal cancer starts in the inner lining of the oesophagus and can spread outward through the other layers.
There are 2 main types of cell lining the oesophagus:
squamous cells
glandular (adenomatous) cells
Cancer can start in either type of cell. So there are 2 main types of oesophageal cancer - squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Cancer can develop in any part of the oesophagus.
Cancers in the upper part and middle part tend to be squamous cell carcinomas. These develop from cells that make up the inner lining of your oesophagus.
Cancers in the lower part of the oesophagus tend to be a type called adenocarcinoma. These cancers start in gland cells.
The lower end of the oesophagus joins the stomach. The area where the oesophagus and stomach join is called the gastro oesophageal junction (GOJ). Cancers that start here are called gastro oesophageal junction cancers.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between oesophageal, stomach and GOJ cancers. But we know from research that GOJ cancers are a separate type of cancer. They can behave differently to cancers of the oesophagus and stomach.
Find out about gastro oesophageal junction cancer
Around 9,500 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year. It’s the 14th most common cancer in the UK.
Oesophageal cancer is more common in men than women.
It's more common in older people. In the UK, on average each year almost 45 out of 100 (almost 45%) of new cases are in people aged 75 and over. It's very rare in people younger than 40.
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include difficulty swallowing, indigestion or heartburn and weight loss.
Factors that increase the risk of oesophageal cancer include being older or overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They might refer you to a specialist and organise tests.
You might have a number of tests to help diagnose oesophageal cancer and to find out the stage. This includes a test to look inside your oesophagus (gastroscopy).
Research trials aim to find out if new treatments are safe and better than those currently available for oesophageal cancer.
You might have surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. This depends on a number of factors including the stage and type of your oesophageal cancer.
Last reviewed: 27 Sept 2023
Next review due: 28 Sept 2026
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