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Medical Definition of Oesophageal cancer
1. Cancer of the oesophagus (the swallowing tube that passes from the throat to the stomach). The risk of cancer of the oesophagus is increased by long-term irritation of the oesophagus such as with smoking, heavy alcohol intake, and Barrett's oesophagitis. Cancer of the oesophagus can cause difficulty and pain with swallowing solid food. Diagnosis of oesophageal cancer can be made by barium X-ray of the oesophagus, and confirmed by endoscopy with biopsy of the cancer tissue. (12 Dec 1998)