The oesophagus (/e-SOF-a-gus/), also known as the gullet, is the connective tube between your throat and stomach. All food and liquids we swallow are pushed to the stomach by the contraction of the oesophageal muscles.

Oesophageal cancer (OC) is caused when the lining of the oesophagus experiences abnormal cell growth. There are two types:

Squamous cell cancer
The lining of a healthy oesophagus consists of squamous or flat cells similar to the cells in your skin. Abnormal growth in these cells causes a squamous cell cancer that can affect the oesophagus along its entire length.

Adenocarcinoma
Persistent acid-reflux can cause cells in the oesophageal lining to experience negative change and start resembling cells in the stomach lining. This transformed oesophagus is known as Barrett’s Oesophagus and is highly at risk of developing cancerous growths, leading to a cancer called an adeno-carcinoma.

Understanding Oesophageal Cancer

• Early Warning Symptoms »
• Who is at Risk? »
• How can I protect myself and loved ones? »