How fast-growing is esophageal cancer?

Slow or Fast: It can be slow or fast, but generally its a slow process. Esophageal cancer tends to be circumferential, like a donut. As it grows, the hole or lumen becomes smaller, and can make it diffiult for food, then liquids to pass through. The diamter of your esophagus can get as narrow as 6mm (18french) before one gets symptoms.

Fast-spreading: While the growth of the tumor may be slow at first, esophageal cancer is a very aggressive neoplasm that can spread to lymph nodes and other organs rapidly. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment should not be delayed. Most people diagnosed with esophageal cancer present with locally advanced or widespread disease.