FAQ's on Cancer

Esophageal Cancer

The esophagus is a tube about 10 to 16 inches in length that is part ofthe digestive tract, or alimentary canal. It is located behind the trachea, the tube leading toward the lungs. The major function of the esophagus is to carry food from the mouth to the stomach.During the process of swallowing, circular muscles in the esophagus squeeze in an orderly fashion to propel the food toward the stomach. Gland-like cells produce mucus that acts like a lubricant to facilitate movement of food through the tube. There is a valve at the connection between the esophagus and stomach that keeps the contents of the stomach, which are acidic, from backing up and damaging the lining of the esophagus.

When this valve is unable to performits function, the patient has the condition known as acid reflux. Although squamous cell andadenocarcinoma are the predominant cell types of esophageal cancer. There are other cell types which can occasionally be seen. These include sarcoma (<1%), lymphoma (1%), small cell carcinoma (2%), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (<1%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (<1%) and spindle cell carcinoma (5%).

It is also possible that cancer starting in another area of the body will metastasize (spread via the blood stream or lymphatic channels) to the esophagus, which tends to occur more often if the primary cancer is melanoma, breast or lung cancer.

The cells closer to the outside of the body are known as squamous cells. A cancerous growth here is called squamous cell carcinoma. A cancer of the glandular cells closer to the stomach is called adenocarcinoma.