Overview
Carcinoma of the esophagus, salivary gland type is a very rare cancer that starts in the esophagus — the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. What makes this cancer unusual is that it looks and behaves like cancers normally found in the salivary glands (the glands in your mouth that make saliva), even though it grows in the esophagus. This type of tumor is sometimes called esophageal salivary gland-type carcinoma or minor salivary gland-type carcinoma of the esophagus. It is thought to arise from small glands in the lining of the esophagus that are similar to salivary glands. Because this cancer is so rare, it can be hard to diagnose and is often found at a later stage. Common symptoms include difficulty swallowing, unintentional weight loss, chest pain or discomfort, and a feeling that food is getting stuck. The cancer can affect any part of the esophagus. Treatment usually follows approaches used for other esophageal cancers and may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In some cases, targeted therapies may be considered depending on the specific tumor type. Because this is such a rare cancer, treatment decisions are often made by a team of specialists and may be guided by what works for similar salivary gland cancers found elsewhere in the body.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Difficulty swallowing (food or liquids feel like they get stuck)Unintentional weight lossChest pain or pressure behind the breastbonePersistent heartburn or acid reflux that does not improveHoarse voice or chronic coughRegurgitation of food or liquidFeeling of a lump or blockage in the throatLoss of appetiteFatigue and low energyVomiting or nausea
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsBayer — PHASE2
Jazz Pharmaceuticals — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: DESTINY-PANTUMOUR04
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type
New recruiting trial: A Phase 2 Study of Zanidatamab in Patients With HER2-expressing Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type
New recruiting trial: A Study to Learn More About How Well Treatment With Sevabertinib (BAY 2927088) Tablets Works and How Safe it is in Participants Who Have a Solid Tumor With Mutations of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Should my tumor be tested for specific genetic changes that might make me eligible for targeted therapy or a clinical trial?,Would you recommend getting a second opinion from a specialist center that has experience with rare esophageal tumors?,What are the goals of treatment — is it aimed at curing the cancer or controlling it?,How will treatment affect my ability to eat and swallow, and what support is available for that?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What signs or symptoms should prompt me to call you or go to the emergency room right away?
Common questions about Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type
What is Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type?
Carcinoma of the esophagus, salivary gland type is a very rare cancer that starts in the esophagus — the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. What makes this cancer unusual is that it looks and behaves like cancers normally found in the salivary glands (the glands in your mouth that make saliva), even though it grows in the esophagus. This type of tumor is sometimes called esophageal salivary gland-type carcinoma or minor salivary gland-type carcinoma of the esophagus. It is thought to arise from small glands in the lining of the esophagus that are similar to salivary glands
How is Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type inherited?
Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type typically begin?
Typical onset of Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type?
18 specialists and care centers treating Carcinoma of esophagus, salivary gland type are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.