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Overview
Treatment for oesophageal cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these.
Palliative treatment can help people with advanced oesophageal cancer manage their symptoms.
What's on this page
How treatment is planned
The most important factors in planning treatment for oesophageal cancer are the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. Treatment will also depend on your age, medical history and general health.
Your multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) team may include a gastroenterologist, surgeon, radiation and medical oncologists, specialist nurses, and allied health professionals, such as a dietitian, exercise physiologist or social worker.
Treatment options
Treatment options for oesophageal cancer include:
- surgery alone
- chemotherapy before and after surgery
- combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy before surgery
- combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy without surgery
- radiation therapy alone
- clinical trial (ask your doctor for more information).
When chemotherapy and radiation therapy are combined, this is called chemoradiation. You will usually have both treatments on the same day.
Common treatments
Surgery
The aim of surgery is to remove all of the cancer while keeping as much healthy tissue as possible.Chemotherapy
The aim of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells, while causing the least possible damage to healthy cells.Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is the main treatment for oesophageal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery and has not spread to other parts of the body.Other options
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. It is sometimes used after surgery or to treat people with advanced oesophageal cancer. This type of cancer treatment is changing rapidly. Talk to your doctor about whether immunotherapy is an option for you.
Side effects
The side effects of immunotherapy can vary from person to person. Immunotherapy can cause redness, swelling or pain (inflammation) in any of the organs of the body. This may cause side effects such as fatigue, skin rash, diarrhoea and cough. In some people, the inflammation can lead to more serious side effects, but this will be monitored, and any issues will be managed quickly.
Let your treatment team know immediately if you develop any side effects or have concerns.
Having a stent
Having a stent
People with advanced oesophageal cancer who have trouble swallowing and do not have any other treatment options may have a flexible tube (called a stent) inserted into the oesophagus during an endoscopy.
The stent expands the oesophagus so that fluid and soft food can pass into the stomach more easily. It also can prevent food and saliva going into the lungs and causing infection. The stent does not treat the cancer but will allow you to eat and drink more normally, although there may be some foods you are no longer able to eat.
Palliative treatment
Palliative treatment
Palliative treatment helps improve people’s quality of life by managing the symptoms of cancer without trying to cure the disease. It is best thought of as supportive care. Many people think palliative care is only for people at the end of life, but it can help at any stage of advanced oesophageal cancer. Learn more about living with advanced cancer.
Treatments will be tailored to your individual needs. For example, radiation therapy can relieve pain and make swallowing easier by helping to shrink a tumour that is blocking the oesophagus. Palliative treatments can also slow the spread of the cancer.
Follow-up appointments
You will have regular appointments to monitor your health, manage any long-term side effects and check whether the cancer has come back or spread.
During check-ups, you may have blood tests, imaging scans or an endoscopy if necessary. You will also be able to discuss how you are feeling and any concerns you have. How often you see your doctor will depend on the level of monitoring needed for the type and stage of the cancer you had. You may also see a dietitian for advice about nutrition.
For some people, oesophageal cancer does come back. If this happens, you may have further treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery.
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