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General Information

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The Body

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Complications

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Symptoms and Tests

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Treatment

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Staying Healthy

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Additional Information

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Overview

Esophageal cancer is any abnormality in the reproduction of cells in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube from your mouth to your stomach. Think of it as a hollow tube with several layers on the inside. These layers all have specialized cells that secrete mucous and move food along the digestive tract. In one of the two main types of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, the innermost lining of flat cells begins to replicate in abnormal ways. In the second main type of esophageal cancer, adenocarcinoma, the layer of cells (underneath your squamous cells) that produces mucous begins to replicate oddly. While there are other types of esophageal cancer, they tend to be ra (More)

General Information

About Esophageal Cancer Barrett's Esophagus Cancer of the Esophagus - What You Need to Know (NCI) (More)

The Body

Alcohol Consumption Bodily Defenses Against Cancer (Merck) How Cancer Develops and Spreads (Merck) (More)

Complications

Anemia Brain Metastases Liver Metastases (More)

Symptoms and Tests

Barium Swallow X-ray Biopsy Bronchoscopy (More)

Treatment

Radiation Therapy Alternative Therapy and Cancer Treatments Alternative Therapy: Merck Manual, Second Home Edition (Merck) (More)

Staying Healthy

Esophageal Cancer (PDQ®): Prevention Esophageal Cancer: Prevention/Screening Guidelines for Pureed Meals - Proper Nutrition on a Pureed Diet (More)

Additional information on Esophageal Cancer