• The esophagus is the tube that carries food down inside the chest, from the mouth to the stomach.  Cancers in this region are called esophageal cancer or tumors.
  

• No symptoms until late in the disease for many individuals
  
• Difficulty swallowing solid food
  
• Pain on swallowing may occur
  
• Weight loss
  
• Coughing may occur late in the disease
  
• Chest or back pain may occur
  
• Hoarseness may occur
  

• Endoscopy (scope is passed into the esophagus) -- shows picture and biopsies are taken
  
• CT scan of chest and liver to check for metastases
  
• Endoscopy Ultrasound to check for local spread in the esophagus
  
• Bronchoscopy (scope passed into lungs) sometimes is done to check for spread to lungs
  

• Alcohol and tobacco use
  
• Smoking
  
• Plummer -- Vinson syndrome
  
• Food additives such as nitrates may be a risk factor
  
• Tylosis (callus formation)
  
• Achalasia
  
• Caustic induced strictures
  
• Long-standing acid reflux/Barrett's esophagus
  

1. Surgery
   
2. Radiation
   
3. Chemotherapy
   
4. Stent placement to keep esophagus open
   

• Seek medical treatment as soon as possible.  This disease is often spread at the time it is diagnosed, and may not be curable.  The best chance for a cure is to catch this disease early.
  

• Achalasia
• Schatzki's Ring
• Esophageal Web
  

- This is a pre-cancerous esophageal disease caused by long-standing acid reflux.  It is usually recommended that any person with long-standing acid reflux (usually 2 years or more) have an Endoscopy to check for Barrett's esophagus.  Untreated, Barrett's esophagus can turn into a form of esophageal cancer.