Oesophageal cancer

This section is about cancer of the oesophagus (sometimes called cancer of the gullet or food pipe, or oesophageal cancer). It includes symptoms and causes of oesophageal cancer, tests and treatment, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, living with oesophageal cancer including coping after treatment and managing your diet, and current research into treating cancer of the oesophagus.

If you are looking for information about throat cancer, this could mean cancer of the oesophagus. But throat cancer is not a precise medical term and could mean other types of cancer, for example cancer of the voice box (larynx). It is probably best if you check which type of cancer your doctor means before you look for specific information.

What to ask your doctor about tests

What to ask your doctor about coping

You can also find oesophageal cancer organisations providing help and support, a reading list and see where this information comes from.

Did you know that Cancer Research UK has an online forum for people affected by cancer? Cancer Chat is your space to talk about cancer.

Plus join the Q & A sessions on the first Thursday of every month and have your questions answered by one of our cancer specialist nurses.

News: Gene offers clue to cause of oesophageal cancer: Scientists have discovered the gene behind a rare skin condition that predisposes to oesophageal cancer, according to a study part-funded by Cancer Research UK.; 19 Jan 2012
Press release: Fluorescent dye pinpoints tiniest signs of oesophageal cancer: A fluorescent dye that can be sprayed onto the oesophagus - the food pipe - could be used to detect oesophageal cancer earlier and spare patients unnecessary treatment, according to research published today in Nature Medicine.; 15 Jan 2012
Press release: Bowel, oesophageal and pancreatic cancers show biggest improvement in diagnosis time: NEW research shows that bowel, oesophageal and pancreatic cancers have seen the greatest improvement in the time it takes from when a patient first visits their GP with symptoms to when they are diagnosed with the disease.; 8 Nov 2011

News: News digest – oesophageal cancer, HRT, Leveson and more: Amid the drama of phone hacking, economic gloom, ‘responsible’ capitalism and sinking cruise ships, the week has also seen several intriguing stories in the world of cancer research. Here’s our regular digest of the latest developments – just click on … Continue reading →; 21 Jan 2012
News: Podcast: Cracking the cancer code, rising rates, and a sponge on a string: In this month’s podcast, we take a look at new statistics showing that cancer rates are rising alarmingly in middle-aged people, and bowel cancer risk has doubled for men. Plus we announce a new project aimed at cracking the cancer … Continue reading →; 23 Aug 2011
News: ‘Sponge on a string’ oesophageal cancer prevention trial launches: A couple of years ago we wrote about a revolutionary new technique being developed for detecting oesophageal cancer – the cytosponge, or ‘sponge on a string’ test – presented by Dr Rebecca Fitzgerald at the NCRI Cancer Conference in 2008. … Continue reading →; 25 Jul 2011