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Esophageal Cancer
Topics in This Section
View Esophageal Cancer Information from the National Cancer Institute
What is cancer of the esophagus?
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It carries food and liquids to the stomach. The esophagus is about 10-13 inches long. Esophageal cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the esophagus.
Esophageal Cancer Treatment
Doctors at Fox Chase Cancer Center offer a variety of treatment options for patients with esophageal cancer, including:
- Surgery is the most common treatment for esophageal cancer. In the procedure, an esophagectomy, the surgeon removes part of the esophagus.
- Radiation therapy, both internal and external radiation are used to treat the tumor.
- Chemotherapy, anti-cancer drugs, are directed into the spinal column, on organ or body cavity to treat the cancer cells that area.
- Laser therapy is a procedure using a narrow beam of intense light to treat the cancer.
- Electrocoagulation is the use of an electric current to kill cancer cells.
Fox Chase physicians were the first to develop a non-surgical approach (combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy for patients with esophageal cancer) in order to prolong life and in some selective cases, avoid surgery to remove the esophagus.
Clinical Trials
Currently, patients with esophageal cancer have the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial that involves a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy with new drugs prior to surgery to improve cure rates. Clinical trials for esophageal cancer, including Phase I trials, are available at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Special Needs
Patients with esophageal cancer have special nutritional needs. It is difficult to swallow, so many patients find it hard to eat. The esophagus may be narrowed by the tumor or as a side effect of treatment. Nutrition may be given intravenously or through a feeding tube.
For more information about gastrointestinal cancer treatment and prevention at Fox Chase Cancer Center or to make an appointment, call 1-888-FOX CHASE (1-888-369-2427).