Oesophageal cancerOverview

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 of oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer does not 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 in your upper tummy, chest or back

Find out more about the symptoms of oesophageal cancer

When to get medical advice

See a GP if you have:

• swallowing difficulties
• heartburn on most days for 3 weeks or more
• any other unusual or persistent symptoms

The symptoms can be caused by several conditions and in many cases will not be caused by cancer, but it's a good idea to get them checked out.

If your GP thinks you need to have some tests, they can refer you to a hospital specialist.

Find out how oesophageal cancer is diagnosed

Causes of oesophageal cancer

The exact cause of oesophageal cancer is unknown, but the following things can increase your risk:

• persistent acid reflux (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GORD)
• smoking
• drinking too much alcohol over many years
• being overweight
• having an unhealthy diet that's low in fruit and vegetables

Stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol, losing weight and having a healthy diet may help reduce your risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

Find out more about the causes of oesophageal cancer

Treatments for oesophageal cancer

If oesophageal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it may be possible to cure it with:

• surgery to remove the affected bit
• chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy, to kill the cancerous cells and shrink the tumour

If oesophageal cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, a cure may not be achievable.

But in these cases, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be used to help keep the cancer under control and relieve any symptoms you have.

Read more about how oesophageal cancer is treated and living with oesophageal cancer.

Outlook for oesophageal cancer

The outlook for oesophageal cancer varies depending on things like how far it's 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 does not usually cause any symptoms until a late stage, it's often spread quite far by the time it's diagnosed.

Cancer Research UK has more information about oesophageal cancer survival statistics.