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Esophageal Cancer: About this Condition
Types of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer has 2 main types. Each type is categorized by how the cancer cells look under a microscope:
Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
This type of cancer forms in the gland cells that live in the lining of the esophagus and make mucous for the esophagus. Adenocarcinomas typically begin in the bottom third of the esophagus. It is the most common type of esophagus cancer, accounting for about 75% of cases in the United States. It is associated with obesity and acid reflux.
Squamous cell skin cancer
Squamous cell skin cancer begin in the thin, flat squamous cells that line the esophagus. While they can occur anywhere in the esophagus, they tend to develop more often in the sections contained in the neck and upper chest compared to esophageal adenocarcinoma. These types of cancers account for about 25% of esophagus cancers in the United States, and are associated with conditions felt to cause chronic irritation of the esophagus such as smoking and alcohol use. This type of cancer is also the type most commonly found in other parts of the world, such as in Asia.
Other factors in diagnosis and treatment planning
There are additional considerations beyond type and subtype that affect recommendations your care team may make for treatment. The most important consideration that directs the treatment strategy is the stage, which is discussed in the section below. However, other characteristics that can impact both treatment and prognosis include:
- Tumor size offers clues about how quickly the tumor may have developed and how likely it is to spread. Larger cancers are more likely to progress to the lymph nodes.
- Grade assigns a numeric value between 1 and 3 to describe how abnormal the cancer cells appear under the microscope. The the higher the number the more aggressive the cancer is. Lower numbers are usually is associated with a slower growth.
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.