Cancer of the esophagus can start anywhere along the length of the esophagus. There are two main types of esophageal cancer. Each develops in a different kind of cell.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: the most common type of esophageal cancer worldwide. South Central Asia’s “esophageal cancer belt” region is reported as having some of the highest rates of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma worldwide, affecting both males and females at similar rates. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the squamous cells that line the esophagus. These cancers are usually found in the upper and middle part of the esophagus. Normally these cancers are caused by heavy alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Adenocarcinoma: the most common type in the United States and in Western Europe. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is one of the fastest increasing of all cancers in the United States. Adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular cells in the lower part of the esophagus and may occur at or near the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, known as the gastroesophageal (GE) – junction. Normally these cancers are caused by Acid Reflux and are linked to obesity.
- Other Esophageal Cancers: Rare forms of esophageal cancer include choriocarcinoma, lymphoma, melanoma, sarcoma and small cell cancer. Various other types of esophageal cancer like the small cell carcinoma, lymphoma and spindle cell carcinoma are not observed in patients very often but are seen very rarely. Normally these rare types of esophageal cancer might be caused due to the spreading of cancer from various other body parts like lungs, breasts in to the esophagus via lymph system or via blood stream.
Each type of Esophageal Cancer has its own set of risk factors, symptoms and treatments.
