Executive Summary
Esophageal cancer begins in the cell lines that line the Esophageal. The esophageal is a hollow, 10-inch long, muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It is part of a person’s gastrointestinal tract, also known as the digestive system. esophageal cancer begins in the inner layer of the esophageal wall and grows outward. If it spreads through the esophageal wall, it can travel to lymph nodes, the small, bean-shaped organs that help fight infection and the blood vessels in the chest and other nearby organs. It also spreads to the lungs, liver, stomach, and other body parts. There are two types of esophageal cancer involving squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Treatment is similar for both types of esophageal cancer. Other rare esophageal tumors include small cell neuroendocrine cancers, sarcoma, and lymphomas, making up less than 1% of esophageal cancers.
About the Esophageal
The esophageal is a hollow, 10-inch long, muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It is part of a person’s gastrointestinal tract, also known as the digestive system. When a person swallows, the esophageal walls squeeze together to push food down into the stomach.
About Esophageal cancer
Cancer starts when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a tumor mass. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread. esophageal cancer, also called esophageal cancer, begins in the cells that line the esophageal 1.
Specifically, cancer of the esophageal begins in the inner layer of the esophageal wall and grows outward. If it spreads through the esophageal wall, it can travel to lymph nodes, the small, bean-shaped organs that help fight infection and the blood vessels in the chest and other nearby organs 2. esophageal cancer can also spread to the lungs, liver, stomach, and other body parts.
Types of oesophagal cancer
There are two main types of oesophagal cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma – This type of esophageal cancer starts in squamous cells that line the esophageal. It usually develops in the upper and middle parts of the esophageal.
- Adenocarcinoma – This type begins in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the esophageal, where the esophageal and the stomach come together.
Treatment is similar for both of these types of esophageal cancer. There are other types of very rare tumors of the esophageal. These include small cell neuroendocrine cancers, sarcoma, and lymphomas, making up less than 1% of esophageal cancers.
References
- 1.Smyth EC, Lagergren J, Fitzgerald RC, et al. Oesophageal cancer. Nat Rev Dis Primers. Published online July 27, 2017. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.48
- 2.Napier KJ. Esophageal cancer: A Review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, staging workup and treatment modalities. WJGO. Published online 2014:112. doi:10.4251/wjgo.v6.i5.112