Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. The cancer usually starts in the cells lining your esophagus. Symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting, weight loss or problems with gas. It can also cause a burning or pressure sensation in the throat, chest or neck.
A test called a biopsy may be used to find out if you have esophageal cancer. This test helps to decide whether surgery is the best way to treat your disease. The tumor can be tested with a CT scan, PET scan or MRI to see if it has spread to other parts of your body.
The tests will also let your doctor know the stage of your esophageal cancer. This stage is a Roman number that indicates how far the cancer has spread. For example, a stage 0 cancer is small and hasn’t spread to other areas of your esophagus. Those with advanced esophageal cancer that has spread to other parts of the esophagus and nearby lymph nodes are usually treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, instead of surgery.
Your doctor will decide the best treatment for you based on your cancer’s stage, your overall health and what you prefer. The most common types of treatment are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Surgery: If you have a very small, localized (confined to a small area) tumor in your esophagus, a surgeon may remove it. This procedure is done using an endoscope that is passed down your throat and into your esophagus. The surgeon may use a minimally invasive approach or a more traditional approach.
In most cases, surgery involves removing part or all of the esophagus and surrounding tissue. The surgeon reshapes the tube to create a new passage for food and sometimes attaches it to your stomach or large intestine. This surgery can be painful and has a high risk of complications such as bleeding, leaking in the stomach or esophagus, problems with swallowing and lung complications.
If you have a more advanced esophageal cancer, chemotherapy or radiation therapy can shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove. These treatments are called neoadjuvant therapies.
They can help you live longer and feel better during the time you are going through cancer treatment. These treatments are also used to reduce symptoms in people who have metastatic esophageal cancer.
Clinical trials: These are studies meant to improve current treatments or test new treatments for patients with cancer. When a trial shows that a new treatment is more effective than the standard treatment, it can become the standard treatment for patients with esophageal cancer.
The results of these trials can change the way your cancer is treated, so it’s important to ask your doctor about clinical trials when you have an appointment. Some are open to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, while others may only be available for patients who have already started treatment.
