Details about COVID-19, monkeypox, and the flu vaccine
New to MyHealth?
Manage Your Care From Anywhere.
Access your health information from any device with MyHealth. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.
ALREADY HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
DON'T HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
NEED MORE DETAILS?
MyHealth for Mobile
Get the iPhone MyHealth app »
Get the Android MyHealth app »
Esophageal Cancer: About this Condition
What Causes Esophageal Cancer?
No one knows exactly what causes esophageal cancer. At the top of the esophagus is a muscle, called the sphincter, that releases to let food or liquid go through. The lower part of the esophagus is connected to the stomach. Another muscle is located at this connection that opens to allow the food to enter the stomach. This muscle also works to keep food and juices from the stomach from backing into the esophagus. When these juices do back up, reflux, commonly known as heartburn, occurs.
Learn more about symptoms of esophageal cancer
Long-term reflux can change the cells in the lower end of the esophagus. This condition is known as Barrett's esophagus. If these cells are not treated, they are at much higher risk of developing into cancer cells.
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
Clinical Trials for Esophageal Cancer
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.
Our Clinics
Stanford Cancer Center provides a warm, supportive environment that enables patients and families to stay in one location for procedures and tests and focus on healing.


Stanford Cancer Center provides a warm, supportive environment that enables patients and families to stay in one location for procedures and tests and focus on healing.
To schedule an appointment, please call: 888-888-8888
Learn More About Esophageal Cancer
What We Offer
Our providers use leading edge techniques to diagnose and treat esophageal Cancer.
About this Condition
Learn about the symptoms, types, and diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
Patient Care Resources
Learn what to expect as you go through the early steps of your care.