The esophagus is the passageway or tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Cancer of the esophagus is rare in the United States. It is more common in other parts of the world. Men are at greater risk than women for this disease. African Americans are at a greater risk than whites. This cancer occurs most often in people in their 60s and 70s.

The main symptom of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing food. This is called dysphagia. Other symptoms are pain with swallowing, weight loss, and regurgitation. Regurgitation is the backflow of undigested food.

Risk factors include excess alcohol use, smoking cigarettes, especially if you drink alcohol, and eating foods that have compounds called nitrosamines, such as preserved meats.

The best test, called esophagogastroscopy, uses a fiber optic instrument to look into the esophagus and stomach. Cells are collected to be evaluated under a microscope. After diagnosis, a chest scan is often done to evaluate the extent of the tumor. It frequently spreads to lymph nodes in the area, and to the liver and lungs.

Surgery is used to remove the cancer. It is curative in up to 50 percent of people with limited disease. Survival rates decrease in people with more advanced disease. Radiation and chemotherapy are sometimes added to surgery. Other treatments, such as stretching the esophagus or inserting feeding tubes into the stomach or intestines may be offered as comfort measures. These options allow the person to maintain nutrition and avoid weight loss and malnutrition.

Early diagnosis is important. If you have any of the symptoms and are at a high risk for this disease, see your doctor right away.

For more information call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.

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