The esophagus is an organ shaped like a long tube that is at the top of our digestive system. It connects the throat with the stomach. Cancer of the esophagus is also called esophageal cancer. These abnormal cells continue to divide to make more cells, even though the body does not need the new cells. After a while, the accumulation of unneeded new cells results in a mass of extra tissue called a growth or tumor.
Esophageal tumors can develop anywhere along the esophagus.
Cancerous or malignant tumors often outgrow their original site and spread to nearby tissues or organs by entering the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The spread of cancer cells to other areas is called metastasis. Esophageal cancer is not very common, affecting only about 11,000 Americans each year. The cause of esophageal cancer is only partially understood. It is known that people with the following characteristics are more likely to develop esophagus cancer.