How is cancer of the esophagus treated?
Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on a number of factors. Among these are the exact location, size, and extent of the tumor, and the type of cancer cells. The doctor also considers the person’s age and general health to develop a treatment plan to fit each person’s needs. The patient’s doctor may want to discuss the case with other doctors who treat cancer of the esophagus. Also, the patient may want to talk with the doctor about taking part in a research study of new treatment methods. Such studies, called clinical trials, are designed to improve cancer treatment. Many patients want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. People with cancer have many questions and concerns about their health. The doctor is the best one to answer them. Most patients want to know the extent of their cancer, how it will be treated, how successful the treatment is likely to be, and how much it will c
