Esophageal cancer

Alternative names:

cancer of the esophagus

Definition:

A malignant tumor of the esophagus (the muscular tube that propels food from the mouth to the stomach).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The causes of this type of cancer are unknown, but there seems to be an association with chronic irritation from smoking and alcohol consumption. There is an increased incidence in people with other cancers of the nose and throat and in Barrett's esophagus, a complication of the repeated regurgitation of food (reflux). It occurs most often in people over 50 years old and occurs more frequently in men. The incidence is 8 out of 100,000 people.