Cancer Of The Oesophagus
Treatment
Source: NHS
In this topic (7)
The main treatments for oesophageal cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
This page covers:
Your treatment plan
You'll be cared for by a group of different healthcare professionals and your team will recommend a treatment plan they feel is most suitable for you (see below),although final treatment decisions will be yours.
Your plan will largely depend on how far your cancer has spread known as the "stage".
- Stage 1-3 oesophageal cancer is usually treatedwith surgery to remove the affected section of oesophagus(oesophagectomy). Chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy may be given before surgery to make it more effective or is sometimes used instead of surgery.
- Stage 4 oesophageal cancer has usually spread too far for a cure to be possible, but chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments can slow the spread of the cancer and relieve symptoms.
The endoscope is passed down your throat so no incisions are made in your skin.
Sometimes radiowaves may also be used to destroy the cancerous tissue (called radiofrequency ablation or RFA).
Stents
For more advanced cases of oesophageal cancer that are causing swallowing difficulties,a procedure to insert a hollow tube called a stent into the oesophagus may be recommended.
The stent expands once in place and holds the oesophagus open.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves taking medicines that kill the cancer cells or stop them multiplying.
It may be used:
- before and sometimes after surgery, eitherwith or without radiotherapy to shrink the cancer and reduce therisk of it coming back
- instead of surgery incombination with radiotherapy (called chemoradiation)
- to relieve your symptoms ifcurative treatmentisn't possible
The medicines can begiven into a veinor taken as tablets. You'll usually have the treatmentevery three weeksover aperiod of6-18 weeks.
Side effects
Common side effects of chemotherapy include:
- feeling sick
- loss of appetite
- losing weight
- Traveller's diarrhoea
- feeling very tired
- increased risk ofinfections
- bleeding and bruising easily
These side effects should improve gradually after treatment stops..
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy involves usingradiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours.
It may be used:
- in combination with chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the cancer and reduce therisk of it coming back
- instead of surgery usually in combination with chemotherapy (called chemoradiation)
- to relieveyour symptoms if curative treatment isn't possible
Radiotherapy is most often given using an external machine that directs beams of radiation at your oesophagus, or sometimes by temporarily placing a small piece of radioactive material in your oesophagus (brachytherapy).
Side effects
Common side effects of radiotherapy include:
- tiredness
- temporary soreness when swallowing
- temporary worsening of swallowing difficulties
- a dry throat
- feeling or being sick
- reddening of the skin and loss of body hair in the treatment area
These side effects should improve gradually after treatment stops..
Want to know more?
- Cancer Research UK: treatments for oesophageal cancer
- Macmillan: treatments for oesophageal cancer
Articles for Cancer Of The Oesophagus
Causes
Find out about the things that can increase your risk of oesophageal cancer, including GORD, alcohol, smoking, obesity and an unhealthy diet.
Diagnosis
Find out how oesophageal is diagnosed, including which tests you may need to have.
Introduction
Find out about oesophageal cancer, including what the symptoms are, why it occurs and what the main treatments are.
Living with
Find information and advice about living with oesophageal cancer, including how your diet may change and what financial support is available.
Patient story: "I just wanted to know what could be done about it."
After discovering he had cancer of the oesophagus in 1998, keen marathon runner Clive Alexander had an oesophago-gastrectomy.
Symptoms
Find out about the main symptoms of oesophageal cancer and when to get medical advice.
Treatment
Find out about the main treatments for oesophageal cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
