

  • Surgery to remove very small tumors. If your cancer is very small, confined to the superficial layers of your esophagus and hasn’t spread, your surgeon may recommend removing the cancer and margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it. Surgery for very early-stage cancers can be done using an endoscope passed down your throat and into your esophagus.
  • Surgery to remove a portion of the esophagus (esophagectomy). During esophagectomy, your surgeon removes the portion of your esophagus that contains the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. The remaining esophagus is reconnected to your stomach. Usually, this is done by pulling the stomach up through the diaphragm to meet the remaining esophagus.
Doctor looking at images


As esophageal cancer advances, it can cause complications, such as:

  • Obstruction of the esophagus. Cancer may make it difficult or impossible for food and liquid to pass through your esophagus.
  • Pain. Advanced esophageal cancer can cause pain.
  • Bleeding in the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can cause bleeding. Though bleeding is usually gradual, it can be sudden and severe at times.

Treatments for Complications

Treatments for esophageal obstruction and difficulty eating can include:

  • Providing nutrition. Your doctor may recommend a feeding tube if you’re having trouble swallowing or if you’re having esophagus surgery. A feeding tube allows nutrition to be delivered directly to your stomach or small intestine, giving your esophagus time to heal after cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy and Radiation

    • The chemotherapy side effects that you experience depend on which chemotherapy drugs you receive.
  • Radiation therapy: Uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. Radiation can come from a machine outside your body that aims the beams at your cancer (external beam radiation). Or radiation can be placed inside your body near the cancer (brachytherapy).Radiation therapy is most often combined with chemotherapy in people with esophageal cancer. It can be used before or after surgery.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Preparing for Your Appointment

If your family doctor suspects you have esophageal cancer, you may be referred to a number of doctors who will help to evaluate your condition. Your health care team may include doctors who:

  • Evaluate the esophagus (gastroenterologists)
  • Treat cancer with chemotherapy and other medications (oncologists)
  • Perform surgery (surgeons)
  • Use radiation to treat cancer (radiation oncologists)
  • To get the most from your appointment, it’s a good idea to be well-prepared. Here’s some information to help you get ready, and to know what to expect from your doctor.

What You Can Do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you’re taking.
  • Consider taking a family member or friend along. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor. Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For esophageal cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
  1. Where is my esophageal cancer?
  2. How advanced is my cancer?
  3. Can you explain the pathology report to me?
  4. What other tests do I need?
  5. What are my treatment options?
  6. What are the potential side effects of each treatment option?
  7. Is there one treatment option you feel is the best?
  8. What would you recommend to a friend or family member in my situation?
  9. Should I see a specialist?
  11. What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask any other questions that occur to you during your appointment.

Coping and Support

Coping with the shock, fear and sadness that come with a cancer diagnosis can take time. You may feel overwhelmed just when you need to make crucial decisions. With time, each person finds a way of coping and coming to terms with the diagnosis.

Until you find what brings you the most comfort, consider trying to:

Find out enough about esophageal cancer to make decisions about your care. Ask your doctor for the specifics about your cancer, such as its type and stage. And ask for recommended sources of information where you can learn more about your treatment options. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society are good places to start.

Stay connected to friends and family. Your friends and family can provide a crucial support network for you during your cancer treatment. As you begin telling people about your esophageal cancer diagnosis, you’ll likely get offers for help. Think ahead about things you may like help with, whether it’s having someone to talk to if you’re feeling low or getting help preparing meals.

Find someone to talk to. You might have a close friend or family member who’s a good listener. Or talk to a counselor, medical social worker, or pastoral or religious counselor. Consider joining a support group for people with cancer. You may find strength and encouragement in being with people who are facing the same challenges you are. Ask your doctor, nurse or social worker about groups in your area. Or try online message boards, such as those available through the American Cancer Society.