Esophageal Cancer

Treatment Options

Unfortunately, most cancers are too advanced to be cured.

Several types of treatment are used for esophageal cancer. Usually, the only curative treatment is surgical removal of the esophagus. Other forms of treatment include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endoscopic therapy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy together appear better than either in isolation. Endoscopic treatment is palliative and is intended to relieve the swallowing difficulty. The most commonly used approach is the insertion of a flexible wire sleeve, called a stent, through the narrowed esophagus in order to maintain an open channel. Other forms of endoscopic therapy include laser or electrical burning of the cancer. Photodynamic therapy uses chemicals and light to destroy the abnormal cells on the surface lining, but is used most commonly in Barrett’s esophagus.