Signs and symptoms
... It''s unusual to have signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer in the early stages of the disease. When cancer is more advanced, you may experience: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Although this is ...

Causes
... Although the esophagus is essentially a hollow tube, its walls are composed of a number of highly specialized layers, including an inner lining made up of thin, flat cells (squamous cells), a layer be...

Risk factors
... Heavy drinking, smoking and chronic acid reflux or Barrett''s esophagus are the greatest risk factors for esophageal cancer. Other factors that may increase your chances of developing esophageal cance...

When to seek medical advice
... See your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing, a chronic cough or unintended weight loss. Having these signs and symptoms doesn''t mean you have esophageal cancer. A number of other conditions can...

Screening and diagnosis
... To help find the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam. You''re also likely to have a chest X-ray and other diagnostic tests, such as: A ...