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What is oesophageal cancer?

Diagram of the upper part of the body with the oesophagus highlighted in yellow and shown as a tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.
  • Oesophageal cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the oesophagus, sometimes called the gullet or food pipe.
  • The oesophagus connects your mouth to your stomach.
  • How serious oesophageal cancer is depends on where it is in the oesophagus, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.

Important

It's important to get any symptoms of oesophageal cancer checked as soon as possible.

Page last reviewed: 29 June 2023
Next review due: 29 June 2026