One type of cancer of the esophagus is related to smoking and excessive alcohol. It is called squamous cell cancer. The other type, adenocarcinoma, is strongly related to acid reflux into the lower esophagus with acid injury. This is particularly a problem for white males in which a dramatic increase in this cancer has been seen. In Image 1 you see an irregular growth projecting into the lower esophagus. The whitish area is exudate from necrotic cells on the surface. The early symptom of this type of projecting tumor is food sticking in the lower esophagus. Image 2 shows a different type of cancer. It is a flat whitish ulcer surrounded by reddened, inflamed, and raised tissue. This type may not cause symptoms until later stages.