After an esophageal cancer diagnosis, staging typically occurs. Staging is a way of describing the extent and spread of the cancer and is often used to guide treatment and prognosis. Depending on the cell type of esophageal cancer, there may be slight alterations within each stage, but there are typical stages of esophageal cancer that are described by the National Cancer Institute.
Difficulty Swallowing
The most common symptom of esophageal cancer, says the American Cancer Society, is difficulty swallowing--often feeling like food is stuck somewhere in the chest or throat. This typically worsens and is generally a sign of advanced esophageal cancer. There may be pain or burning in the chest, which is often mistaken for heartburn. Other symptoms of cancer of the esophagus include weight loss, hoarseness, pneumonia and high blood calcium levels.
Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)
This stage is not actually carcinoma but describes abnormal cells that are found in the inner lining of the esophagus, according to the National Cancer Institute. These cells have the potential to become cancerous and spread to other tissues.
Stage 1
Stage 1 esophageal cancer is diagnosed when cancer has been found and is not only in the inner lining of the esophagus, but has spread to the next layer of tissue in the esophageal wall.
Stage 2
There are two sub-stages in Stage 2 esophageal cancer. Stage 2A consists of cancer that has spread to the esophageal muscle, or to the outermost wall of the esophagus. Stage 2B may be diagnosed when cancer has been found in any of the first three layers of the esophagus and adjacent lymph nodes
Stage 3
The National Cancer Institute describes Stage 3 esophageal cancer as cancer that's in the outer wall of the esophagus and may be found in tissues around the esophagus or lymph nodes in the esophageal area.
Stage 4
This is the last stage of esophageal cancer and the most advanced, because cancer has been found in distant sites in the body. In this stage, esophageal cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes (lymph nodes not near the esophagus) or distant organs of the body.
