What are the stages in esophageal cancer?

The stages of esophageal cancer are determined by the extent of the cancer's spread within the esophagus and to other parts of the body. The staging system most commonly used for esophageal cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. The stages are as follows:

Stage 0: This is the earliest stage of esophageal cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ. The cancer is confined to the innermost layer of cells lining the esophagus.

Stage I: The cancer has invaded the deeper layers of the esophageal wall but has not spread to lymph nodes or other organs.

Stage II: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but has not invaded other organs.

Stage III: The cancer has spread to more distant lymph nodes or to nearby structures, such as the trachea, bronchi, or pleura.

Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver, lungs, or bones.

Within each stage, there may be further subcategories (A, B, C, etc.) to indicate the specific extent of the cancer's spread. The stage of esophageal cancer helps guide treatment decisions and provides information about the prognosis of the disease.