Esophageal cancer 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).

Estimated new cases and deaths from esophageal cancer in the United States in 2009:

New cases:  16,470
Deaths:  14,530
 
To learn more about esophageal cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute web site at:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/esophageal