What Is Esophageal Cancer? Health Article

To help you understand what is happening when you have cancer, it helps to understand how your body works normally. Our bodies are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Normal cells grow and multiply when the body needs them, and die out when the body does not need them.

Cancer is made up of abnormal cells. These cells grow whether they are needed or not. Esophageal cancer is cancer that begins in the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach. In adults, the esophagus is about 10 inches long. Cancer can develop in any of these main parts of the esophagus.

• The upper part, called the cervical area

• The middle part, called the thoracic area

• The lower part, called the abdominal area

If the cancer spreads outside the esophagus, it usually shows up in one or more of these places.

• Lymph nodes, which are part of the immune system and help fight infection. Groups of them are in the neck, underarms, and groin.

• Trachea (windpipe)

• Large blood vessels in the chest

Sometimes cancer from the esophagus spreads to these other areas, too.

• Liver

• Lung

• Bone

• Brain

Less often, esophageal cancer spreads to these areas.     

• Kidneys

• Adrenal glands

• Lining of the abdomen

• Skin

There are 2 types of esophageal cancer. They are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. They are named based on the cells in which the cancer starts.