The esophagus is a mucus-lined tube that runs between the throat and the stomach. It is part of the gastrointestinal tract and is vital for getting food from your mouth to your stomach. Cancer of the esophagus, also called esophageal cancer, happens when cancerous cells form in the tissue of the esophagus. Oftentimes, the cancer is not detected until it is in late stages. Because of this, how you treat esophageal cancer depends on the type, where it's located and what stage the tumor is in. Other factors that determine which type of treatment is most effective are age and general health. According to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, it is often necessary to use a combination of different therapies to treat esophageal cancer.
Surgery
There are a number of surgical procedures that can help with symptoms, like pain and difficulty swallowing, of the cancer. In some cases, if the cancer is caught early enough, it can be eradicated by removing part of the esophagus and lymph nodes, called esophagectomy. Sometimes the surgery may require the removal of the upper part of the stomach as well, called esophagogastrectomy.
Radiation Therapy
A high-energy, focused dose of radiation, like chemotherapy, can kill cancerous cells. There are two different types of radiation therapy. One uses an external radiation machine to beam a focused concentration of radiation directly at the cancer cells. The other form, called brachytherapy, uses thin tubes containing radioactive materials that are implanted in the tissue near the site of the cancer.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is most commonly used to relieve pain and reduce any obstructions in the esophagus. A light-sensitive drug is injected and absorbed by the cancer cells. Using an endoscope, the doctor will target laser light onto the soft tissue, which destroys cancer cells, leaving healthy tissue virtually untouched.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses a mixture of powerful anti-cancer drugs that target fast-growing cells and kill them. This may not wipe out the cancer altogether, but it can slow it down and help relieve some of the symptoms.
Airway Stents
An airway stent is a tube that is inserted into the esophagus next to the tumor. The use of a stent does nothing to cure the cancer but, instead, helps keep the airway open so the person can breath easier and have less trouble swallowing.
