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.
Symptoms
Oesophageal cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms in the early stages. It’s only when it gets bigger that symptoms tend to develop.
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include:
Difficulty swallowing
Persistent indigestion or heartburn
Regurgitation of food soon after eating
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen chest or back
Causes of oesophageal cancer
The exact cause of oesophageal cancer is unknown, but the following things can increase your risk:
Oesophageal cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms in the early stages. It’s only when it gets bigger that symptoms tend to develop.
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include:
Persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Smoking
Drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time
Being overweight or obese
Having an unhealthy diet that’s low in fruit and vegetables
Treatments for oesophageal cancer
If oesophageal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it may be possible to cure it with: