What are the causes and symptoms of oesophageal cancer?

A very bad disease: 2 kinds of esoph ca.. Squamous cell (like the cells of cheek), associated with cigarette and alcohol use, and increased in blacks. Stable in population. Other kind: adenoca (gland cells), assoc chronic reflux and microscopic changes (barrett's esophagus). Increased risk in whites, overweight, chronic reflux. Often no symp until late; dysphagia-food gets stuck, progressive, pain, wt loss, pain.

Depends: Causes of adenocarcinoma: acid reflux; causes of squamous cell carcinoma: smoking, alcohol, achalasia, caustic injury, chaga's syndrome, nitrosamines. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, bleeding and weight loss.