Introduction

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

When to get medical advice

Causes

Treatments

Outlook

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 .

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 25 Jul 2016