Cancer Of The Oesophagus
Introduction
Source: NHS
In this topic (7)
Oesophageal cancer is a type of cancer affecting the oesophagus (gullet) the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.
It mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s and is more common in men than women.
This page covers:
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer
Oesophageal cancer doesn't usually cause any symptoms in the early stages when the tumour is small. It's only when it gets bigger that symptoms tend to develop.
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include:
- difficulty swallowing
- persistent Indigestion or heartburn
- bringing up food soon after eating
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- pain or discomfort inyour upper tummy, chest or back
and living with oesophageal cancer .
Outlook for oesophageal cancer
The outlook for oesophageal cancer varies depending on things such as how far it has spread, your age and your general health.
If it's detected while it's still quite small, it may be possible to get rid of it completely.
But as oesophageal cancer doesn't usually cause any symptoms until a late stage, ithas often spread quite far by the time it's diagnosed.
Cancer Research UK hasmore informationabout oesophageal cancer survival statistics .
Articles for Cancer Of The Oesophagus
Causes
Find out about the things that can increase your risk of oesophageal cancer, including GORD, alcohol, smoking, obesity and an unhealthy diet.
Diagnosis
Find out how oesophageal is diagnosed, including which tests you may need to have.
Introduction
Find out about oesophageal cancer, including what the symptoms are, why it occurs and what the main treatments are.
Living with
Find information and advice about living with oesophageal cancer, including how your diet may change and what financial support is available.
Patient story: "I just wanted to know what could be done about it."
After discovering he had cancer of the oesophagus in 1998, keen marathon runner Clive Alexander had an oesophago-gastrectomy.
Symptoms
Find out about the main symptoms of oesophageal cancer and when to get medical advice.
Treatment
Find out about the main treatments for oesophageal cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.