• Guidelines for treating this cancer have been developed by the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tumour Group.
• For health professional information on treating this cancer, please see our Cancer Management Guidelines.
• Other names for esophagus cancer: esophageal cancer, cancer of the esophagus.
• The esophagus is a 10 inch long tube that connects the back of the mouth to the stomach.
• When a person swallows, the muscles in the wall of the esophagus contract, moving food and liquids into the stomach.

What causes it and who gets it?

Listed below are some of the known risk factors for this cancer. Not all of the risk factors below may cause this cancer, but they may be contributing factors.

• This cancer affects more men than women (3-4 times as many men as women)
• Black people are twice as likely to develop esophagus cancer as white people
• Cancer of the esophagus is much more common in some other countries. For example, esophagus cancer rates in Iran, northern China, India, and southern Africa are 10 to 100 times higher than in the United States.
• The risk of developing esophagus cancer increases with age
• Heavy use of alcohol is a risk factor
• The use of tobacco products is a major risk factor
• People who both smoke and drink alcohol are much more likely to develop esophagus cancer
• Being overweight is a risk factor
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk for esophagus cancer
• Chronic irritation of the lower esophagus due to gastric reflux (backward flow of stomach acid) increases the risk of esophagus cancer
• People with Barrett's esophagus are much more likely to develop adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
• Exposure to the solvents used for dry cleaning may lead to a greater risk
• There is an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma to those exposed to burns of the esophagus. For example, exposure to lye during a suicide attempt or accidental swallowing by a child.
• Achalasia, caustic stricture and Plummer-Vinson's syndrome are all associated with an increased risk of the squamous cell type of esophagus cancer
• Statistics
• BC
• Canada

Can I help to prevent it?

• To reduce your risk, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to tobacco and cigarette smoke. Even if you have been using tobacco for many years, quitting will reduce your cancer risk. Support is available to help you successfully quit. Visit the BC Cancer Agency’s Prevention page on Tobacco for information and resources.
  
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol. Not drinking at all will reduce your cancer risk the most. If you choose to drink alcohol, the key is to keep your drinking at the safest possible levels, called low-risk drinking. The American Institute for Cancer Research advises that if you do drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. 
  
• Eating healthy, nutritious foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, can reduce your cancer risk. Follow the recommendations in Canada's Food Guide and visit the BC Cancer Agency’s Prevention page on Nutrition information and resources. 
  
• Together, healthy eating and regular physical activity are the best way to maintain a healthy body weight, which can lower your risk for esophagus cancer. Visit the BC Cancer Agency’s Prevention page on Physical Activity for information and resources.
• If you have Barrett's esophagus, follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatments that prevent reflux (heartburn).
  

Screening for this cancer

• No effective screening program exists for this cancer yet
• People with Barrett's esophagus should have an endoscopy at least every two years

Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty swallowing, at first with solid foods, but as the cancer grows, even liquids and soft foods become difficult to swallow
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unexplained choking
• Pressure or burning in chest
• Frequent bouts of indigestion or heartburn
• Loss of appetite 
• Hoarseness or cough
• Painful spasms after eating
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Coughing up blood
• Persistent anemia