What is an esophageal stricture?

What is an esophageal stricture?

An esophageal stricture is an abnormal tightening or narrowing of the esophagus.

Your esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, carrying food and liquid. A stricture narrows the esophagus, making it more difficult for food to travel down the tube. In severe cases, even drinking liquid can be difficult.

Esophageal strictures can be:

• Cancerous: These strictures get worse quickly.
• Benign (not cancerous): Benign strictures tend to progress slowly.