Esophageal Cancer Treatment Options

Once we have determined the stage of esophageal cancer, we can begin to plan esophageal cancer treatment.
For simplicity, we are going to talk about different treatment categories of esophageal cancer, and how they are generally treated. You and your cancer care team will find the right treatment that’s best for you.
In general, we can talk about four different categories of esophageal cancer:
Superficial cancers are T1a and some T1b cancers that have no spread to the lymph nodes (N0). These can frequently be removed from inside the esophagus with an endoscope and never need surgery.
Early stage cancers are T1b and some T2 cancers that have no spread to the lymph nodes (N0). These are usually treated with surgery and don’t need chemotherapy and radiation.
Locally advanced cancers are T3 or node-positive tumors, meaning N1 or N2 or N3. These cancers are treated with chemotherapy and radiation first, which is then followed by surgery.
Metastatic cancers are M1, in which cancer has spread to other organs. These cancers are treated with chemotherapy.
Esophageal Cancer Care Team
The care of esophageal cancer takes a whole team working together to give you the best care.
Gastroenterologist works with an endoscope, which is a flexible tube which inserted through the mouth into the esophagus. The gastroenterologist may perform one of several procedures in your care:
• Upper endoscopy to examine the inside of the esophagus and biopsy any concerning areas
• Endoscopic ultrasound to examine the depth of invasion of a tumor in the esophagus
• Endoscopic mucosal resection to treat superficial cancers of the esophagus
Diagnostic radiologist
• Interpret CT or PET scans
• Perform biopsies under the guidance of CT or ultrasound
Medical Oncologist
• Treat cancer with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, using drugs given intravenously.
Radiation Therapist
• Treats cancer with high-energy x-rays that target the esophagus and nearby lymph nodes
Surgeon
• Perform surgery to remove the cancer in the esophagus and surrounding lymph nodes and reconstruct the gastrointestinal tract. This usually means creating a new esophagus from a portion of the stomach.
• Place a feeding tube if necessary for nutrition
• Place a central venous port for chemotherapy.
In future videos, we will talk about each of these treatment options in detail.

[@fitnessfreaks9447]

A very useful information god bless you doctor

[@aidarusasad2220]

thanks DOC really its usefull

[@tfaber9394]

Thank you. T3M1.

[@user-zm8ov6hc7s]

I never know telling people who have recently been diagnosed that I had the major operation 12 years ago. It was a difficult recovery but now the only sign that I had it is a huge scar from shoulder around my back onto my abdomen. Otherwise in good health.

[@bridgethamler7732]

Doctor Salo did my husband's esophagectomy.

[@Ruby-dk3tw]

I was recently given an EMR and the stage was T1b but there was some muscle in the sample so I was given a PET scan and the option of an Esophagectomy to be sure, they had it all. It's an awfully big roll of the dice and there's nothing out there I can find to say what is the trend with folks like me who refuse the default option. If they did get all of the cancer then I'll have had this procedure for nothing and will have to live with it live with it. How many follow up scans are needed to confirm if there was still some residual nasties? They really don't tell you more than they can get away with I feel. We deserve better information.

[@missj.4760]

Do you know if some of these cancer can be treated with immunotherapy?

[@ladennayoung2939]

Amazing how the Lord bless you all with all of this knowledge to be able to treat the human body. Thanks for sharing. MANY blessings to you and yours in Jesus name. AMEN.

[@jeancater1388]

Science. Thanks to science.

[@semanawitkibrom5430]

Please pray for me I am 38years old they diagnose me with Gerd but my simtoms ls more like esophagus cancer l don’t have appetite am very weak very hard to swallow food l have heart burn my back enyting l eat lt burn me l also have have cough every time I eat am really worried about my self 😢😢😢please pray for me

[@rashawnnone961]

I hope you are doing well🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@muttleysmith726]

Question...why does the specialist wait until it is too late for treatment??? My ship has sunk.

[@ipchloe7658]

Dear Doctor Jonathan, this is Chloe and I found your video really helpful. My grandpa is 70 years old and diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma, and the doctor said the lymp nodes did not spread to any organs however multiple metastatic lymph nodes are found in mediastinum, left neck, bilateral supraclavcular fossae and abdomen and pelvis. Is that also means M1? And May I ask if that’s possible to do surgery once the lower area lymph nodes are removed from chemotherapy, thank u so much for your time

[@wowgamerlegacy6073]

Hello Chloe, How's your grandpa now?

[@richricogranada9647]

Could excessive burps cause damage to the esophagus?

[@mariearmstrong9185]

I have been choking on food and liquids for over 1 year. I was told I have a hernia. Finally someone listened to me and sent me for a swallow test 3/28/22. The Dr. Started the test only to stop when I choked badly on the white barium I tried to swallow. I was then sent to Dr. Gambari for a scope down my throat. He has referred me to Shands Hospital in Gainesville FL, about 3 hrs away. I have two blockages and my esophagus is almost totally closed. I can't seem to get any answers from the Drs I'm petrified. I am waiting for the referral to go through.

[@muttleysmith726]

I understand what you are going thru... My ship has sunk the specialist has waited too long and now it's too late for me, nice huh!!! Here's hoping you have a better deal than me to look forward to...bless you.😢

[@alexandracraig3983]

how are you now? i hope you are okay

[@alexandracraig3983]

​@@muttleysmith726are you sure? i really hope you can bevokay without losing quality of life

[@EirinnSiobhanMcFernweh]

What happens if you've had surgery and need to vomit? I'm concerned about esophagus issues after 43 years of mostly unmanaged GERD and such.

[@jonathansalomd3541]

Vomiting after esophagectomy is very unusual, as the stomach is much reduced in size and has been converted from a large reservoir into a tube which replaces the esophagus

[@user-ci2vf5bw3q]

I have been diagnosed with T3 esophageal cancer My case is complicated because i have had a gastric sleeve and previous colon cancer resection. What alternatives are there?

[@jonathansalomd3541]

Jejunum can be used as an alternate conduit. This can either be done via a substernal approach (with or without ‘supercharge’ by a plastic surgeon) or via the chest (which is less common). Ask your surgeon for a referral to a high-volume hospital for a second opinion

[@narendrababu7996]

my father have esophageal cancer in between upper and middle part of the esophageal. he undergone chemo+radio in month of june -2022, please any one suggest me to cure the disease. lymph nodes also have 8x8mm size near to that part.

[@lemenut3242]

Hi, is he good now ?/

[@Alpha_7227]

I will have my oesophagectomy in a couple of days after having about 4 weeks worth of radio/chemotherapy. I am wondering but what are the chances of the cancer returning even if the surgeon manages to cut out all the cancerous cells and surrounding lymph nodes. Thanks.

[@indertomar8957]

How you feel now after 5 month , please share your experience office as a survivor

[@Alpha_7227]

@@indertomar8957 Hi, I am able to eat normally, although smaller entre size meals. Just the other night I ate too much snitzel then ice cream and I got the sensation of food being caught in my throat again. I am working 2 to 3 days a week 5 hours a day as fatigue is still a factor. I am on immunotherapy treatment once a fortnight which has its side effects like fatigue etc which I am getting on top of. All in all, I am incredibly lucky.

[@alexandracraig3983]

i hope you are doing well.

[@anjaliyendhe5044]

My mother diagnosed with o.c. in post cricoid region t3n1m0 surgery wasn't an option so radiation with concurrent chemo given but even after one month of finishing treatment she is unable to swallow own saliva what should be done next?

[@jonathansalomd3541]

In most cases the opening in the esophagus will begin to open up even several weeks after the radiation is completed. My hope is that she has a feeding tube to help her with her nutrition in the meantime.

[@kmymaikader8235]

I'm a social worker currently taking care of 38yr male with EC. He defaulted 2x chemo treatment & now waiting for new appointment on 7/apr/2022. He can only consume liquid only. What type of nutrition & How can i improve his nutrition intake?

[@jamesmcdaniel920]

Ensure drink

[@lemenut3242]

Hi, is he feeling good since that? Thank you

[@wandaritter5704]

My love was gone 2 years after diagnosis 💔🙏

[@ladennayoung2939]

Sorry for your loss.

[@philelman]

First of all I want to announce to you all that I'm cancer free🥰🥰. I was completely healed from Esophageal cancer within 8 weeks by using the herbal medication that I got from Dr unugboje. I met Dr unugboje herbal Chanel here on KZbin and that was the best thing that ever happened to me. Dr unugboje was able to cure my cancer completely. You should do yourself a good by contacting Dr unugboje herbal Chanel here on KZbin. He has the best cure. I'm talking from personal experience

[@missj.4760]

Sorry for your loss Wanda.

[@NOWWECAN]

I see you posted this a year ago. Just beginning my fight. So sorry for all the pain. There is a lot of it.

[@narendrababu7996]

From the help of keto diet, can treat disease

[@DOCTORJAN714]

I know four oncology surgeons. They ALL look like this guy. Interesting.