Oesophageal cancer
Cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe or gullet) affects around 7,800 people each year in the UK. The disease is more common in men than women and most cases are in people aged 50 and over.
Smoking and drinking alcohol are the main risk factors for oesophageal cancer. A diet that is low in fruit and vegetables also increases the risk. And a link with the human papilloma virus has been reported in some cases.
We also know that certain inherited conditions are linked with the cancer.
Acid reflux, inflammation of the oesophagus and the condition known as Barrett's oesophagus can all increase the risk of developing one type of oesophageal cancer.
Cancer Research UK funds research into many different aspects of oesophageal cancer, from understanding how the disease starts, to prevention and finding ways to improve existing treatments.
Browse content about Oesophageal cancer
Browse news and press releases about Oesophageal cancer
- Alcohol cancer risks "underestimated" say researchers
- Cancer risks for overweight women
- Curry compounds kill oesophageal cancer cells in lab
- IARC finds more cancers linked to tobacco and alcohol
- Local researchers trial aspirin to help prevent cancer of the foodpipe
- New test gives hope for early diagnosis of oesophageal cancer
- Alcohol flush gene could reveal oesophageal cancer risk
- Chance of surviving gut cancers up 40 per cent in two decades
- Heart drug may cut cancer risks finds study
- Iranian scientists find evidence of link between oesophageal cancer and 'extremely hot tea'
- New clinical study shows nutrition after cancer surgery improves patient recovery time and could save the NHS millions
- Stomach bacteria may prevent some oesophageal cancers
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