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Childhood Esophageal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI]

This information is produced and provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National Cancer Institute via the Internet web site at http://cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.

What is childhood esophageal cancer?

Childhood esophageal cancer is a rare type of cancer that forms in the esophagus.

The esophagus is the hollow, muscular tube that moves food and drink from the throat to the stomach. The wall of the esophagus is made up of several layers of tissue, including mucous membrane, muscle, and connective tissue.

Anatomy of the esophagus; drawing shows the pharynx (throat), esophagus, and stomach. A pullout shows the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, submucosa layer, thick muscle layer, and connective tissue layer of the esophagus wall. The lymph nodes are also shown.
Anatomy of the esophagus. The esophagus is a hollow, muscular tube that moves food and liquid from the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. The wall of the esophagus is made up of several layers of tissue, including the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, submucosa layer, thick muscle layer, and connective tissue layer.

There are two common forms of esophageal cancer.

  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is the most common esophageal tumor in children. This cancer begins in the thin, flat cells called squamous cells that line the inside of the esophagus.
  • Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is a less common type of esophageal tumor in children. It begins in the glands that secrete mucus in the esophagus.
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