MedicineNet

Esophageal Cancer Related Diseases & Conditions

Medical conditions are often related to other diseases and conditions. Our doctors have compiled a list of ailments related to the topic of Esophageal Cancer. These conditions may be a cause or symptom of Esophageal Cancer or be a condition for which you may be at increased risk.

  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a condition in which the acidified liquid contents of the stomach backs up into the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Article
    • GERD facts
    • What is GERD (acid reflux)?
    • What causes GERD?
    • What are the symptoms of uncomplicated GERD?
    • What are the complications of GERD?
    • How is GERD diagnosed and evaluated?
    • How is GERD treated?
    • What is a reasonable approach to the management of GERD?
    • What are the unresolved issues in GERD?
  • Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as...learn more »
    In This Article
    Alcoholism Article
    • Alcoholism and alcohol abuse facts
    • What is alcohol abuse?
    • What is alcoholism?
    • What differentiates alcohol abuse from alcoholism?
    • What are risk factors for alcoholism?
    • What causes alcoholism? Is alcoholism hereditary?
    • What are alcohol abuse and alcoholism symptoms and signs in teenagers, women, men, and the elderly?
    • How is alcoholism diagnosed?
    • What are the stages of alcoholism?
    • What is the treatment for alcoholism?
    • What medications treat alcoholism?
    • How can you tell if someone has a drinking problem?
    • Can an alcoholic just cut back or stop drinking?
    • Is there a safe level of drinking?
    • Is it safe to drink alcohol while pregnant?
    • How can someone find more information or get help or support to treat alcohol abuse and alcoholism?
    • What are the long-term physical and psychological effects of alcohol abuse and alcoholism?
    • What is codependency and what is the treatment for codependency?
    • Can alcoholism be prevented?
    • What is the prognosis of alcoholism?
  • Chronic Cough Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis,...learn more »
    In This Article
    Chronic Cough Article
    • What is chronic cough?
    • What are causes of chronic cough?
    • How is chronic cough treated?
    • Are there home remedies for chronic cough?
    • Can chronic cough be prevented?
  • Chest Pain Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy,...learn more »
    In This Article
    Chest Pain Article
    • Introduction
    • What are the sources of chest pain?
    • What are the symptoms and causes of chest pain?
    • How is chest pain diagnosed?
    • What is the philosophy of the approach to chest pain diagnosis?
    • What is the diagnosis and treatment for cause of chest pain?
    • Broken or bruised ribs
    • Costochondritis
    • Pleuritis or Pleurisy
    • Pneumothorax
    • Shingles
    • Pneumonia
    • Pulmonary embolism
    • Angina and heart attack
    • Pericarditis
    • Aorta and aortic dissection
    • Esophagus and reflux esophagitis
    • Referred abdominal pain
    • Chest Pain At A Glance
  • Obesity Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are...learn more »
    In This Article
    Obesity Article
    • Obesity facts
    • What is obesity?
    • How common is obesity?
    • What are the health risks associated with obesity?
    • What causes obesity?
    • What are other factors associated with obesity?
    • How is body fat measured?
    • What about weight-for-height tables?
    • What is the body mass index (BMI)?
    • Does it matter where body fat is located?
    • What can be done about obesity?
    • What is the role of physical activity and exercise in obesity?
    • What is the role of diet in the treatment of obesity?
    • What is the role of medication in the treatment of obesity?
    • What about herbal fen/phen?
    • What about meal substitutes, artificial sweeteners, and OTC products?
    • What is the role of surgery in the treatment of obesity?
    • How can patients choose a safe and successful weight-loss program?
  • Dysphagia Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, swallowing problems. Dysphagia is due to problems in nerve or muscle control. It is...learn more »
    In This Article
    Dysphagia Article
    • What is dysphagia?
    • What causes dysphagia?
    • Physical obstruction of the pharynx or esophagus
    • Diseases of the brain
    • Diseases of the smooth muscle of the esophagus
    • Diseases of the skeletal muscle of the pharynx
    • Miscellaneous diseases
    • What are the symptoms of dysphagia?
    • Swallowing related symptoms
    • Non-swallowing related symptoms
    • What is the differential diagnosis for dysphagia?
    • How is dysphagia evaluated and the cause diagnosed?
    • How is dysphagia treated?
    • What is the prognosis for dysphagia?
    • What does the future offer for dysphagia?
    • Dysphagia At A Glance
  • Cancer Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and...learn more »
    In This Article
    Cancer Article
    • What is cancer?
    • What causes cancer?
    • What are cancer symptoms and signs?
    • What are the different types of cancer?
    • How is cancer diagnosed?
    • How is cancer staging determined?
    • What is the treatment for cancer?
    • What is the prognosis for cancer?
    • Can cancer be prevented?
    • Where can people find more information about cancer?
    • Cancer At A Glance
  • Barrett's Esophagus Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD...learn more »
    In This Article
    Barrett's Esophagus Article
    • What is Barrett's esophagus?
    • Why is there so much interest in Barrett's esophagus?
    • What causes Barrett's esophagus?
    • Who develops Barrett's esophagus?
    • What is the specific abnormality in the inner lining (epithelium) of Barrett's esophagus?
    • What about the cancer that occurs in Barrett's esophagus?
    • What is dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus?
    • What is the risk of developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in Barrett's?
    • What are the symptoms of Barrett's esophagus?
    • How is GERD with or without Barrett's esophagus treated?
    • Why is it important to screen patients with GERD to diagnose Barrett's esophagus?
    • Why is it critical to be accurate in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus?
    • What does endoscopic biopsy surveillance in Barrett's esophagus involve?
    • How is high grade dysplasia managed?
    • How is low grade dysplasia managed?
    • What are the experimental approaches for treatment of high grade dysplasia?
    • What experimental options are there for Barrett's esophagus WITHOUT dysplasia?
    • What does the future hold for Barrett's esophagus?
    • Barrett's Esophagus At A Glance
  • Esophagitis Esophagitis is caused by an infection or irritation of the esophagus. Infections that cause esophagitis include candida yeast...learn more »
    In This Article
    Esophagitis Article
    • What Is Esophagitis?
    • What causes esophagitis?
    • What are the symptoms of esophagitis?
    • How Is Esophagitis Diagnosed?
    • What Is the Treatment for Esophagitis?
  • Achalasia Achalasia is a disease of the esophagus that mainly affects young adults. Abnormal function of nerves and muscles of the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Achalasia Article
    • What is achalasia?
    • How does the normal esophagus function?
    • How is esophageal function abnormal in achalasia?
    • What causes achalasia?
    • What are the symptoms of achalasia?
    • What are the complications of achalasia?
    • How is achalasia diagnosed?
    • How is achalasia treated?
    • Achalasia At A Glance
  • Smoking (How to Quit Smoking) Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or...learn more »
    In This Article
    Smoking (How to Quit Smoking) Article
    • Smoking and quitting smoking facts
    • What problems are caused by smoking?
    • What is addictive disease and why is smoking considered addictive?
    • What are the signs of cigarette addiction?
    • Why should someone quit smoking?
    • What are the steps in quitting?
    • Getting ready to quit smoking
    • On the day you quit smoking
    • Staying quit
    • What methods can help a person quit smoking?
    • Behavioral modification and self-help literature to quit smoking
    • Nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking
    • What prescription products are available for smoking cessation?
    • How are nicotine-containing products used safely?
    • What is in the future for smoking?
  • Cancer Risk Factors Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase...learn more »
    In This Article
    Cancer Risk Factors Article
    • What are cancer risk factors?
    • Growing older
    • Tobacco
    • Sunlight
    • Ionizing radiation
    • Certain chemicals and other substances
    • Some viruses and bacteria
    • Certain hormones
    • Family history of cancer
    • Alcohol
    • Poor diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight
  • Schatzki's Ring Schatzki (Schatzki's) ring, is a narrow ring of tissue located just above the junction of the esophagus and stomach. The cause of...learn more »
    In This Article
    Schatzki's Ring Article
    • What is a Schatzki ring?
    • What are symptoms of a Schatzki Ring?
    • How is a Schatzki Ring diagnosed?
    • What treatment is for Schatzki Ring?
  • Asbestos Asbestos exposure lung disease is divided into three main types, asbestosis (lung scarring caused by asbestos fibers), disease of...learn more »
    In This Article
    Asbestos Article
    • Asbestos related disorders facts
    • What is the definition of asbestos?
    • What are the types of asbestos-related lung disease?
    • What are the types of asbestos fibers?
    • What does fiber size have to do with asbestos-related lung disease?
    • What is asbestosis?
    • What are symptoms and signs of asbestosis?
    • What tests and studies are used to evaluate asbestosis?
    • How is asbestosis treated?
    • What is pleural disease?
    • Does asbestos exposure cause lung cancer?
    • What is malignant mesothelioma?
    • What other cancers have been linked to asbestos exposure?
    • How can exposure to asbestos be reduced?
    • What kind of asbestos is used today?
  • The Digestive System Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves...learn more »
    In This Article
    The Digestive System Article
    • Digestion Introduction
    • What is Digestion?
    • Foods Journey - Stop 1: The Mouth
    • Foods Journey - Stop 2: The Pharynx and Esophagus
    • Foods Journey - Stop 3: The Stomach and Small Intestine
    • Foods Journey - Stop 4: The Colon, Rectum and Anus
    • Accessory organs in digestion
  • Heartburn Heartburn is a burning sensation experienced from acid reflux (GERD). Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Heartburn Article
    • Heartburn Facts
    • What are the symptoms of heartburn?
    • What causes heartburn?
    • Dietary causes of heartburn
    • Lifestyle causes of heartburn
    • Medical causes of heartburn
    • What is the treatment for heartburn?
    • Tips to alleviate heartburn symptoms
    • OTC heartburn treatments
    • Prescription heartburn treatments
    • When is heartburn surgery necessary?
  • Reflux Laryngitis Acid backing up into the larynx (voice box), it causes reflux laryngitis. Irritation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and...learn more »
    In This Article
    Reflux Laryngitis Article
    • Why does reflux laryngitis occur?
    • What are the typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis?
    • How are reflux laryngitis evaluated?
    • What is the conservative therapy of reflux?
    • What types of medications are used to treat reflux?
    • What are the difficulties in diagnosing reflux laryngitis?
    • Reflux Laryngitis At A Glance
  • Smokeless Tobacco Smokeless tobacco can have negative health effects such as cancers, poor oral health (gum disease and tooth decay), infertility,...learn more »
    In This Article
    Smokeless Tobacco Article
    • What is smokeless tobacco?
    • What are the health risks of smokeless tobacco?
    • Cancer risk
    • Other health risks
    • Is smokeless tobacco safer than cigarette smoking?
    • What is being done to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco?
    • What treatments are available to help people quit using smokeless tobacco?
    • Smokeless Tobacco At A Glance
  • Disease Prevention in Men Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in...learn more »
    In This Article
    Disease Prevention in Men Article
    • Disease prevention in men introduction
    • High blood pressure (hypertension)
    • Hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia
    • Type II diabetes mellitus
    • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
    • Cancer of colon and rectum /polyps of colon and rectum
    • Prostate cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • Melanoma and other skin cancers
    • Bladder cancer