Esophageal Cancer

Definition of esophageal cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach). Two types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the esophagus) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).

Estimated new cases of esophageal cancer in the United States in 2016: 16,910

Esophageal cancer consists of two primary cancer types, esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is more common in the United States. Men of all racial and ethnic groups have higher esophageal cancer incidence rates than women. Historically, African American men have had higher esophageal cancer incidence rates than white men; however, increasing incidence rates in white men and a steady decline among African American men in the past decade have reversed this trend.

Risk factors for esophageal cancer include tobacco use, alcohol use, having Barrett’s esophagus orgastric reflux disease, and increasing age. Common signs of esophageal cancer include painful or difficult swallowing and unexplained weight loss. There are no standard or routine screening tests for esophageal cancer. Tests and procedures that are used to detect and diagnose esophageal cancer include a physical examination, upper endoscopy, chest x-ray, and a barium swallow test. Standard treatment options for esophageal cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, chemoradiation therapy, laser therapy, and electrocoagulation.

The following stages are used for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus:

Stage 0 (High-Grade Dysplasia)

In stage 0, abnormal cells are found in the mucosa or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called high-grade dysplasia.

Stage I Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Esophagus

Stage I is divided into Stage IA and Stage IB, depending on where the cancer is found.

  • Stage IA: Cancer has formed in the mucosa or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 1. Grade 1 cancer cells look more like normal cells under a microscopeand grow and spread more slowly than grade 2 and 3 cancer cells.
  • Stage IB: Cancer has formed:
    • in the mucosa or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade2 and 3; or
    • in the mucosa or submucosa layer and spread into the muscle layer or the connective tissue layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 1. The tumor is in the lower esophagus or it is not known where the tumor is.

Stage II Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Esophagus

Stage II is divided into Stage IIA and Stage IIB, depending on where the cancer has spread.

  • Stage IIA: Cancer has spread:
    • into the muscle layer or the connective tissue layer of the esophagus wall. The cancercells are grade 1. The tumor is in either the upper or middle esophagus; or
    • Grade 1 cancer cells look more like normal cells under a microscope and grow and spread more slowly than grade 2 and 3 cancer cells.
  • Stage IIB: Cancer:
    • has spread into the muscle layer or the connective tissue layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 2 and 3. The tumor is in either the upper or middle esophagus; or
    • is in the mucosa or submucosa layer and may have spread into the muscle layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 1 or 2 lymph nodes near the tumor.

Stage III Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Esophagus

Stage III is divided into Stage IIIA, Stage IIIB, and Stage IIIC, depending on where the cancerhas spread.

In Stage IV, Cancer Has Spread To Other Parts Of The Body.

 

The following stages are used for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus:

Stage 0 (High-Grade Dysplasia)

In stage 0, abnormal cells are found in the mucosa or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called high-grade dysplasia.

Stage I Adenocarcinoma Of The Esophagus

Stage I is divided into Stage IA and Stage IB, depending on where the cancer is found.

  • Stage IA: Cancer has formed in the mucosa or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 1 or 2. Grade 1 and 2 cancer cells look more like normal cells under amicroscope and grow and spread more slowly than grade 3 cancer cells.
  • Stage IB: Cancer has formed:
    • in the mucosa or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade3; or
    • in the mucosa or submucosa layer and spread into the muscle layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 1 or 2.

Stage II Adenocarcinoma Of The Esophagus

Stage II is divided into Stage IIA and Stage IIB, depending on where the cancer has spread.

Stage III Adenocarcinoma Of The Esophagus

Stage III is divided into Stage IIIA, Stage IIIB, and Stage IIIC, depending on where the cancer has spread.

In Stage IV, Cancer Has Spread To Other Parts Of The Body.


All information was taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute)