Oesophageal cancer

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer can include difficulty swallowing, indigestion or heartburn and weight loss. 

Factors that increase the risk of oesophageal cancer include being older or overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. 

You usually start by seeing your GP and they might refer you to a specialist and organise tests. Find out more about tests and screening for oesophageal cancer. 

The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. It helps your doctor to know which treatment you need.

Survival depends on many factors including the stage and type of your oesophageal cancer. 

You might have surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. This depends on a number of factors including the stage and type of your oesophageal cancer. 

There is support available to help you cope during and after oesophageal cancer treatment. This includes diet tips to help you eat well.

Advanced oesophageal cancer means that a cancer that began in the food pipe (gullet) has spread to another part of the body.

Research trials aim to find out if new treatments are safe and better than those currently available for oesophageal cancer.