Esophageal Cancer Treatment

After the cancer is found and staged, your cancer care team will discuss treatment options with you. It is important that you take time to think about your choices. You will want to weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects. In choosing a treatment plan, 2 of the main factors to consider are your overall health and the stage (extent) of the cancer.

The main options for treatment of cancer of the esophagus include:

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Endoscopic treatments

Some of these treatments can also be used as palliative treatment when all the cancer cannot be removed. Palliative treatment is meant to relieve symptoms, such as pain and trouble swallowing, but it is not expected to cure the cancer. Depending on the stage of the cancer and your general health, different treatment options may be used alone or in combination.