What is oesophageal cancer?
Oesophageal cancer is a cancer that starts in the oesophagus (also called the food pipe). The oesophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth down to your stomach.
Sometimes, a small lump can start to grow in the food pipe. This can make swallowing harder or cause ongoing indigestion. Finding oesophageal cancer early can make it easier to treat.
Oesophageal cancer usually develops because of a mix of things over time. Often there is no single clear cause.
Lifestyle and health factors that can increase risk:
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Smoking
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Drinking a lot of alcohol over time
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Being overweight or living with obesity
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Long-term heartburn / acid reflux
Longer-term factors:
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Barrett’s oesophagus (often linked with long-term reflux)
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Getting older
Having one or more risk factors does not mean someone will develop oesophageal cancer — it just means the chance may be higher.
You don’t need to panic, just notice what’s normal for you. These symptoms can have other causes, but it’s worth getting checked if they don’t go away or feel unusual for you.
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you have problems swallowing
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you’ve lost a noticeable amount of weight
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you have heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more
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symptoms get worse, or usual indigestion treatments aren’t helping
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Chest discomfort, bringing food back up, or feeling sick
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You can also read NHS guidance on oesophageal cancer symptoms.
When to get advice
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, speak to your GP practice.
Tests and next steps for oesophageal cancer - NHS
For more information you can visit any of the links below.
Last reviewed: January 2026