Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer typically starts in the lining of the esophagus. The two most common types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
In many patients, cancers of the esophagus are discovered because of the symptoms they cause, such as difficulty swallowing and weight loss, among others. Diagnosing people who haven't experienced any symptoms is rare and often accidental from tests done for other medical problems. Most esophageal cancers do not cause symptoms in patients until they have reached an advanced stage.
Diagnosing esophageal cancer may include an upper endoscopy, barium swallow with X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and endoscopic ultrasound to determine stage and location of the tumor(s).
The main treatment options for patients with esophageal cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Other palliative treatments, such as mechanical stents and photodynamic therapy, are used in cases where tumors cannot be removed. Depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient's general medical condition, more than one treatment may be used at the same time.
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National Cancer Institute – Esophageal Cancer Information 
Government resource for the latest information on clinical trials, tips on prevention, helpful tools for screening and testing, plus up-to-date statistics and research.
Caring4Cancer 
Patient-created, patient-friendly information on diagnosis, treatment, tips on day-to-day living, plus helpful resources for caregivers. Also offers a unique support program for survivors.
MedlinePlus
Developed by government agencies and other health organizations, this site contains information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, lots of interactive patient tutorials, and the latest health news. Also features a "guide to healthy web surfing."
MayoClinic.com
Not-for-profit hospital offers an introduction for those newly diagnosed with cancer; includes step-by-step information about signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, and screening techniques.
National Cancer Institute — Diagrams and Summary
Government resource for the newly diagnosed; includes diagrams and helpful information, summary of definitions, stages, overview, and treatment options.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
The nation's oldest and largest private cancer hospital hosts this page designed to answer questions about risk factors, diagnosis, treatment at the cancer center, clinical trials, and survivorship.
