Where is the gullet

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. 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. Read our information about coronavirus and cancer. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus — a long, hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach.

Your esophagus helps move the food you swallow from the back of your throat to your stomach to be digested. Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus.

Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus. More men than women get esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Incidence rates vary within different geographic locations. In some regions, higher rates of esophageal cancer may be attributed to tobacco and alcohol use or particular nutritional habits and obesity.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that worry you. If you've been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition caused by chronic acid reflux, your risk of esophageal cancer is higher. Ask your doctor what signs and symptoms to watch for that may signal that your condition is worsening.

Screening for esophageal cancer may be an option for people with Barrett's esophagus. If you have Barrett's esophagus, discuss the pros and cons of screening with your doctor. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful advice on how to get a second opinion. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in the esophagus develop changes mutations in their DNA. On this page. What is the oesophagus? The oesophagus has four layers: The mucosa is the inner layer. It is moist to help food pass smoothly into the stomach.

The submucosa contains glands that produce mucus secretions. This keeps the oesophagus moist. The muscularis is the muscle layer.

It pushes food down into the stomach. The adventitia is the outer layer. It attaches the oesophagus to nearby parts of the body. Oesophageal cancer and lymph nodes Oesophageal cancer can sometimes spread to the lymph nodes close to the oesophagus.

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