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What is oesophageal cancer?

Diagram of the upper part of the body with the oesophagus highlighted in yellow and shown as a tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.
  • Oesophageal cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the oesophagus, sometimes called the gullet or food pipe.
  • The oesophagus connects your mouth to your stomach.
  • How serious oesophageal cancer is depends on where it is in the oesophagus, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.

Page last reviewed: 29 June 2023
Next review due: 29 June 2026