Expert Esophageal Cancer Care, Close to Home
The esophagus is the muscular tube that moves food from the back of the throat to the stomach. It is lined with different types of cells depending on the area. The upper and middle parts of the esophagus are normally lined with squamous cells, which are flat cells similar to those found in the skin. Cancers that start here are squamous cell carcinomas or epidermoid cancers.
The lower part of the esophagus, near where it connects to the stomach, can sometimes be lined with columnar epithelium — tall, column-shaped cells that are normally found in the stomach and intestines. Cancers that start in these cells are called adenocarcinomas.
At Texas Oncology, our expert physicians specialize in diagnosing and treating esophageal cancer. We work as a team to provide personalized treatment and deliver high-quality care.
Barrett’s esophagus
Barrett’s esophagus involves an abnormal amount of columnar epithelium in the lining of the lower esophagus, which should only contain squamous cells. This abnormal epithelium is prone to develop pre-cancerous or pre-malignant changes called dysplasia. Dysplasia is a term used to describe abnormalities in cells that do not appear under the microscope, but are not yet characterized as invasive cancer.
