Where in the esophagus does cancer start?

Esophageal cancer starts on the inside lining of the esophagus and spreads outward through the other layers as it grows. The esophagus is the hollow, muscular tube that moves food and liquid from the throat to the stomach, and its wall is made up of several layers of tissue, including a mucous membrane, muscle, and connective tissue.

The two most common types tend to start in different parts of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma is most often found in the upper and middle part, while adenocarcinoma usually forms in the lower part, near the stomach.

Your healthcare team can explain more about where a specific cancer started.