Esophageal stricture is a broad term referring to a narrowing of the esophageal lumen. The stricture can be caused by a number of different etiologies: inflammation (long-standing esophagitis), radiation therapy, benign or malignant mass lesions (internal or external compression), caustic ingestions, and others.

Caustic substances include ammonium hydroxide, sodium and potassium hydroxide (lye), sodium hypochlorite (bleach), acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, selenious acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, cationic detergents, hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen peroxide, phenol, and zinc chloride. Frequently, ingestion of these substances by adults and adolescents may be deliberate. Caustic-induced injuries in children in developed countries have increased due to ingestion of the liquid inside laundry- and dish-detergent capsules ("pods").

Esophageal strictures most commonly present as dysphagia, more typically to solids but sometimes to liquids, which can progressively worsen. Additional symptoms include heartburn, odynophagia, acute or chronic food impactions, chest pain (referred), and weight loss if oral intake is compromised.

The etiology of esophageal strictures can be organized into benign causes (peptic strictures [the most common], esophageal rings, esophageal webs, radiation-related injury, strictures at anastomoses, or secondary to caustic injury) or malignant causes (esophageal cancer being the most common). It is uncommon for esophageal strictures to be asymptomatic, but, depending on the underlying etiology, they can be rapidly progressive or have an insidious onset.