Pronunciation: (ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach). Two types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the esophagus) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Caption: The esophagus and stomach are part of the upper gastrointestinal (digestive) system.2005-10-24 Date last modified: 2006-11-07