| | The esophagus is a hollow, muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Cancers of the esophagus begin in the inner layer of the esophageal wall and grow outward, and may develop in any part of the esophagus. If the cancer spreads outside the esophagus it can invade lymph nodes, blood vessels in the chest, and other nearby organs. Esophageal cancer can also spread to the lungs, liver, stomach and other parts of the body. Cancer of the esophagus that has spread is called metastatic esophageal cancer. Cancer of the esophagus accounts for about 1 percent of all cancers in the United States.
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