Esophageal Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Esophageal Cancer?
Care for esophageal cancer often involves an oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer. A gastroenterologist, a doctor who treats digestive problems, often does the endoscopy test. A surgeon may remove the cancer. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer is cancer that starts in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube through which food moves from the mouth to the stomach. It is not common in the United States. It occurs most often in men over age 50. There are two main types, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is the more common type.
Symptoms
Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause symptoms. Later, symptoms may include:
- Difficulty swallowing solids or liquids.
- Weight loss.
- Chest pain that is not related to eating.
- Heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest.
- Regurgitation, which is food moving backward up the esophagus and possibly into the mouth.
- A hoarse voice or a cough that does not go away.
Many people with esophageal cancer find it hard to eat because they have trouble swallowing. Possible complications include pneumonia, a lung infection, and severe weight loss from not eating enough.
Causes and who gets it
Squamous cell cancer is linked to smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Having Barrett esophagus raises the risk of adenocarcinoma. Acid reflux disease, also called GERD, can develop into Barrett esophagus. Acid reflux means stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. Other risk factors for adenocarcinoma include smoking, being male, or being obese. Your risk also goes up as you age.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor uses imaging tests and a biopsy to diagnose esophageal cancer. A biopsy is a small sample of tissue that is looked at under a microscope. An EGD is used to take a tissue sample from the esophagus. It uses an endoscope, a thin tube with a light and a lens. A barium swallow is a series of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus. The stage of a cancer tells how far it has spread. A chest MRI or CT scan usually helps find the stage of the disease. An endoscopic ultrasound is also sometimes used to find the stage. A PET scan is sometimes useful for finding the stage and whether surgery is possible.
Treatment
Surgery is the most common treatment for cancer of the esophagus. Part of the esophagus may be removed in an operation called an esophagectomy. The doctor then connects the healthy part that remains to the stomach so the patient can still swallow. Surgery may be done when the cancer is only in the esophagus and has not spread. Small, early-stage cancer may be removed with an endoscope in a procedure called endoscopic resection. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. It may be used instead of surgery in some cases when the cancer has not spread outside the esophagus. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy, radiation, or both may be used to shrink the tumor and make surgery easier. Chemoradiation therapy combines chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Immunotherapy uses the patient's own immune system to fight cancer. If the person is too ill for major surgery, or the cancer has spread to other organs, chemotherapy or radiation may help reduce symptoms.
Other treatments can help a person swallow. A doctor can widen the esophagus with an endoscope, and sometimes a stent is placed to keep the esophagus open. A stent is a small tube. Some people need a feeding tube, a flexible plastic tube that goes into the stomach, until they can eat on their own. Treatment for esophageal cancer may cause side effects. When the cancer has not spread outside the esophagus, surgery may improve the chance of survival.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you have trouble swallowing with no known cause and it does not get better. Also contact your doctor if you have other symptoms of esophageal cancer. Get checked by your doctor if you have severe GERD. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you vomit blood, have bleeding that will not stop, or have trouble breathing.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can look into trouble swallowing, order first tests or a referral, and help you keep track of your care team.
Common questions
Is esophageal cancer common in the United States?
No, it is not common in the United States. It occurs most often in men over age 50.
What is the main treatment for esophageal cancer?
Surgery is the most common treatment for cancer of the esophagus. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used, sometimes before surgery to shrink the tumor.
Can esophageal cancer be prevented?
Not completely, but you can lower your risk of esophageal cancer with a few steps. Do not smoke, and limit or do not drink alcoholic beverages. Get checked by your doctor if you have severe GERD. If you have Barrett esophagus, get regular endoscopies as your doctor recommends.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Esophageal cancer
- National Cancer Institute - Esophageal Cancer Treatment
- MedlinePlus - Esophageal Cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
