Esophageal Cancer
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Esophageal cancer survivor shares her story 
JoAnn Cannon describes her experience with esophageal cancer.
New Patient Support
Peer navigator program provides one-to-one peer support
This special program matches newly-diagnosed cancer patients with cancer survivors.
Related Resources
Esophageal cancer forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach). Two types are squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the esophagus) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
The UC Davis esophageal cancer program utilizes a full team of professionals and revolutionary techniques to treat patients and relieve them of their symptoms.
Clinical Trials at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has a large clinical trials network. The close collaboration among our doctors and our research scientists means that new drugs and treatments developed in the laboratory can quickly move to the clinic, offering our patients immediate access to the latest therapies.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus include:
- tobacco use
- alcoholism
- malnutrition
- infection with human papillomavirus
Risk factors associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma are less defined, although adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids) is strongly associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Long-standing GERD predisposes to Barrett esophagus, the condition in which the color and composition of the cells lining the lower esophagus change. Obesity also is a key risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Sources: National Cancer Institute and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Signs and Symptoms
Early esophageal cancer may not cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, the most common symptoms are:
- Food gets stuck in the esophagus, and food may come back up
- Pain when swallowing
- Pain in the chest or back
- Weight loss
- Heartburn
- A hoarse voice or cough that doesn't go away within 2 weeks
Sources: National Cancer Institute and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Diagnosis
If you have a symptom that suggests esophageal cancer, your doctor must find out whether it's due to cancer or to some other cause. The doctor gives you a physical exam and asks about your personal and family health history. You may have blood tests. You also may have:
- Barium swallow: After you drink a barium solution, you have x-rays taken of your esophagus and stomach. The barium solution makes your esophagus show up more clearly on the x-rays. This test is also called an upper GI series.
- Endoscopy: The doctor uses a thin, lighted tube (endoscope) to look down your esophagus. The doctor first numbs your throat with an anesthetic spray, and you may also receive medicine to help you relax. The tube is passed through your mouth or nose to the esophagus. The doctor may also call this procedure upper endoscopy, EGD, or esophagoscopy.
- Biopsy: Usually, cancer begins in the inner layer of the esophagus. The doctor uses an endoscope to remove tissue from the esophagus. A pathologist checks the tissue under a microscope for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only sure way to know if cancer cells are present.
Sources: National Cancer Institute and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Treatment
Primary treatment modalities include surgery alone or chemotherapy with radiation therapy. Combined modality therapy (i.e., chemotherapy plus surgery, or chemotherapy and radiation therapy plus surgery) is under clinical evaluation.
UC Davis specialists also offer photodynamic therapy for treatment and relief of symptoms of esophageal cancers.
Sources: National Cancer Institute and UC Davis Cancer Comprehensive Center
Your Team
Diagnostic Radiology
John P. McGahan, M.D.
Professor of Radiology
Chief of Abdominal Imaging and Ultrasound
C. John Rosenquist, M.D.
Professor of Radiology
Chief of Gastrointestinal Radiology
Gastroenterology
Joseph W. Leung, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chief of Gastroenterology
Thomas Prindiville, M.D.
Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology
Shiro Urayama, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology
Hematology and Oncology
I-Yeh Gong, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
Jerry S. Powell, M.D.
Director, Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center
Professor of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
Thomas J. Semrad, M.D., M.A.S.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
Michael Tanaka, Jr., M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
Surgical Oncology / Thoracic
David Tom Cooke, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Associate Program Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency
Elizabeth A. David, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Radiation Oncology
Allen M. Chen, M.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Residency and Fellowship Training Program
Ruben Fragoso, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Arta Monjazeb, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Support
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is dedicated to caring for the whole patient. We offer:
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New patient support for cancer patients
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Social workers experienced at helping cancer patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment and recovery
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For patients who participate in a clinical trial, access to our award-winning simultaneous care program
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Patient education classes, lectures and newsletter
