Esophageal cancer: Leading the way in esophageal cancer care

Esophageal cancer affects the esophagus, the long tube that connects the throat and stomach. It is the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world.

There are two main types of esophageal cancer:

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the easiest type of esophageal cancer to prevent by making lifestyle changes. It usually occurs in the upper and middle parts of the esophagus and affects thin cells on the surface of the esophagus.

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of esophageal cancer in the United States. It usually develops in the lower third of the esophagus and is most often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is becoming more common in white men than in any other population.

At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, you’ll receive care from a team that includes surgeons, cancer specialists and radiation specialists. Together, they can help monitor your risk for developing cancer, provide timely diagnosis and recommend personalized treatment.

The exact cause of esophageal cancer is not fully understood. However, some health conditions, like GERD, can increase your esophageal cancer risk. Certain behaviors can also increase the risk for developing esophageal cancer. These include using alcohol and tobacco and maintaining an unhealthy weight.

Early signs of esophageal cancer include unexplained weight loss and painful or difficult swallowing. If you are concerned about your risk for developing esophageal cancer, don’t wait. Diagnosing cancer early can help improve treatment outcomes and the chances of achieving remission.

At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we use the following tools to diagnose esophageal cancer:

Our team offers a range of treatment options to provide you with the care you need. These options include both surgical and nonsurgical treatments:

The following resources offer more information about treatment, diagnosis and living with esophageal cancer:

• National Cancer Institute - Esophageal cancer

• Esophageal Cancer Action Network

• American Cancer Society - Esophageal cancer