Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is cancer of the esophagus, the tube that brings food and drink from your mouth to your stomach. It’s not a common cancer – the American Cancer Society estimates just more than 22,000 people across the U.S. will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2025. About 400 of those cases will be in South Carolina.

Because this cancer isn’t commonly seen, and because it’s often found at a later stage when it’s more difficult to treat, it’s important to be seen by specialists who have extensive experience with esophageal cancer. As South Carolina’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center has a team of physicians and advanced practice providers who are ready to help you to get the best possible care.

What is esophageal cancer? | What is Barrett's esophagus? | Symptoms | Treatment | Clinical Trials | Care Locations | Risk Factors | Statistics | Common Questions | Latest News

What is esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer happens when cells in the esophagus, the tube that brings food from the mouth to the stomach, begin to grow out of control.

There are two main types: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma starts in squamous cells, flat cells that line the esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma starts in gland cells, the cells that create mucus.

Squamous cell carcinoma used to be the most common type of esophageal cancer, but rates have been going down for the last few decades. On the other hand, rates of adenocarcinoma have been increasing.

Another type of cancer in this part of the body is a gastroesophageal (GE) junction tumor. These tumors happen where the esophagus meets the stomach. Depending on where the center of the tumor is, these tumors may be treated as an esophageal cancer or as a stomach cancer.

Have more questions about esophageal cancer? Check out our answers to common questions.

What is Barrett’s esophagus?

Barrett’s esophagus is not cancer, and the majority of people with Barrett’s esophagus won’t develop esophageal cancer. But it is a risk factor, so people with this condition should be monitored.

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the normal squamous cells that should line the esophagus are replaced with cells that are more similar to the cells in the small intestine.

We don’t always know why people develop Barrett’s esophagus. People with chronic heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) are more likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus because the acid damages the lining of the esophagus. It’s also more likely to develop among men, people over the age of 50, people with a family history of Barrett’s esophagus or an immediate family member with esophageal cancer, or obesity.

Esophageal cancer symptoms

Esophageal cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms in early stages. This means the majority of cases aren’t diagnosed until they’ve started spreading. Common symptoms include:

• Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia)
• Pain in the chest or throat
• Unexplained weight loss
• Indigestion and heartburn
• Choking

Esophageal cancer treatment

Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on how far the cancer has spread and the grade of the cancer. “Grade” is a way of rating how the cancer cells look under a microscope. The more abnormal the cells look, the more quickly they will likely grow and spread.

The good news is that research has led to a lot of new options to treat esophageal cancer. About 70% of patients will be a fit for a new immunotherapy or targeted therapy treatment.  

You will meet with our multidisciplinary team to talk through all of your options. These include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Clinical trials

Refer an esophageal cancer patient

To refer an esophageal cancer patient to Hollings, please call patient referral coordinator Shanda Bowman at 843-985-0578.

Nurse navigator support

Our gastrointestinal cancer nurse navigator Anthony DeMeo, MSN, RN, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

Clinical trials for esophageal cancer

Clinical trials are how we know which treatments work; results from clinical trials determine what becomes the standard of care across cancer centers. As a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, Hollings takes an active part in clinical trials to continue advancing knowledge of cancer care.

Why might you participate in a clinical trial?

First, there are different types of trials. Some test a new medication. Some might look at whether the order of treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) makes a difference. Others look at ways to improve quality of life. Your doctor may suggest a clinical trial believing that you could benefit from it. Because therapies in clinical trials have the potential to become the standard of care in the future, you could possibly have earlier access to a new treatment. You will also be helping future cancer patients, who will benefit from the information created during the trial. In some clinical trials you will receive at least the standard of care, and possibly something extra, while in others you will receive a new drug that is being tested in your type of cancer. Your doctor and the research team will help to guide you.

Our clinical trials page includes more information about trials as well as some questions for you to ask if you are considering a trial. You can also review our current esophageal cancer clinical trials and gastrointestinal cancer clinical trials.

Esophageal cancer risk factors

A risk factor is something that increases your risk of developing a cancer. It does not mean that you will definitely get cancer but, if it’s something in your control, consider taking action to reduce your risk.

• Men are far more likely to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer than women.
• Black men are more likely to develop esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and white men are more likely to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma.
• Smoking is a risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk.
• Heavy alcohol use is a risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
• People who smoke and drink heavily have a 20-times higher risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
• Obesity is a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
• Gastrointestinal reflux disease (acid reflux) and Barrett’s esophagus are risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Esophageal cancer statistics

Some notable statistics about esophageal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute:

• Esophageal cancer represents 1% of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. It is more common in some other countries.
• Men are more likely to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer than women.
• Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 65 and 74.
• The five-year survival rate has been steadily improving since the 1970s.

Esophageal cancer common questions

Have you or a loved one received an esophageal cancer diagnosis? You probably have a lot of questions. There’s a lot of information to take in after a cancer diagnosis. Your doctor can answer questions specific to your care, but we have compiled a list of some of the most common questions for your reference below.

Latest esophageal cancer news