Cancer of the oesophagus starts in the lining of the oesophagus. It can then spread to the muscle wall of the oesophagus and on to the deepest layer. Nearby lymph nodes can be affected.

The cancer may spread locally to the lungs and main blood vessels in the chest. It can spread to other parts of the body, most commonly the liver and bones. These cancers are called secondary cancers or mestastases.

Related links
What is the lymphatic system?