Esophagus & Stomach

The esophagus is a hollow muscular tube (the food pipe) that runs between your throat and the stomach. It carries the food you swallow from mouth to your stomach through movements known as peristalsis. The wall of the esophagus is made of several layers of tissue. In esophageal cancer, a malignant tumor forms in the inner lining of the esophagus and then it advances and spreads. It is found more commonly in men than women. You might be surprised to know that esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause behind cancer deaths globally.

Stomach wall is made of five layers of tissue. Stomach cancer begins in the inner most layer, mucus-producing cells that line the stomach. It then advances and spreads.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours are abbreviated as GISTs (pronounced "jists"). These tumours start in the specialized cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and differ from other cancers of the GI tract.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that occurs when acidic stomach juices or food and fluids flows back from the stomach into the esophagus. It then irritates the esophageal lining and produces symptoms. It happens when the valve-like mechanism between the stomach and esophagus becomes defective.

Hiatus Hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach bulges or squeezes through the opening in the diaphragm (large muscle separating chest and abdomen) into the chest. The opening is where the food pipe (esophagus) passes on its way to the stomach.

Achalasia is a disorder in which food does not easily pass from the esophagus (food pipe) to the stomach. It happens because the valve-like muscles and nerves of the gastroesophageal junction are defective.