Cancerous tumours of the esophagus

A cancerous tumour of the esophagus can grow into and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus. Cancers that start in the area where the esophagus joins the stomach (called the gastroesophageal, or GE, junction) often grow and spread like cancer of the esophagus, so they are treated like esophageal cancers. Cancerous tumours are also called malignant tumours.

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma tumours of the esophagus start in the gland cells in the tissues lining the esophagus. It is the most common type of esophageal cancer in developed Western countries like Canada and the United States. Adenocarcinoma tumours are usually found in the lower part of the esophagus, in tissue that has been damaged in people with Barrett's esophagus. These tumours often spread into the stomach.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tumours start in the flat cells in the tissue lining the esophagus. The highest rates of SCC of the esophagus occur in parts of China, Iran, South America, France and Africa. These tumours are usually found in the middle to upper part of the esophagus.

Rare esophageal tumours

The following cancerous tumours of the esophagus are rare:

Expert review and references

  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers (Version 2.2018). http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp.
  • Otterstatter MC, Brierley JD, De P, et al. Esophageal cancer in Canada: trends according to morphology and anatomical location. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2012.
  • Posner MC, Minsky BD, Ilson DH. Cancer of the esophagus. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 45:574-612.
  • Hajdu CH, Rosser R, Leichman L. Uncommon tumors of the esophagus. Raghavan D, et al (eds.). Textbook of Uncommon Cancer. 5th ed. Wiley Blackwell; 2017: 26: 377-394.

Your trusted source for accurate cancer information

With just $5 from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.

We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.

If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2025 Canadian Cancer Society