What tests are used to diagnose esophageal cancer?
If esophageal cancer is suspected, the doctor will use several methods to diagnose the disease beginning with a medical interview to look for risk factors and symptoms, and a physical exam. The doctor will also order diagnostic tests, starting with a barium swallow. This is a series of upper GI (gastrointestinal) x-rays taken after the patient drinks a liquid containing barium, which coats the inside of the esophagus and shows up on the images to highlight any abnormalities. To further enhance the clarity of a barium swallow, the doctor can do a double-contrast study, in which air is blown into the esophagus to help push the barium toward the esophageal wall, allowing it to better coat the surface. Another diagnostic test is an endoscopy – see above,”Is there a screening test for esophageal cancer?” Once esophageal cancer is diagnosed, more tests will be performed to determine the extent of the disease. This is called staging. These tests not only produce images of the esophagus but al
