Chemotherapy for oesophageal cancer

When is chemotherapy recommended?

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. The aim is to destroy cancer cells, while causing the least possible damage to healthy cells.

Chemotherapy for oesophageal cancer may be given alone, or it may be combined with radiation therapy (chemoradiation). It may be used:

• before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) – to shrink a large tumour and destroy any cancer cells that may have spread
• after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) – to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back
• combined with radiation therapy – this is called chemoradiation
• on its own (palliative treatment) – for people who cannot have surgery or when cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Also to help control the cancer and improve quality of life.

For people having surgery, chemotherapy is now commonly recommended before and after surgery.

How is chemotherapy given?

Chemotherapy drugs are usually given through a drip inserted into a vein (intravenous infusion). They may also be given through a central venous access device (CVAD) or as tablets you swallow. You will usually have treatment as an outpatient. Most people have a combination of chemotherapy drugs over several sessions. There may be a rest period of a few weeks between each session.

Learn more about chemotherapy.

Side effects

Chemotherapy can cause a range of side effects, including:

• nausea and/or vomiting
• appetite changes
• difficulty swallowing
• mouth ulcers
• skin and nail changes
• numbness or tingling in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy)
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss
• changed bowel habits (e.g. constipation, diarrhoea)
• hair loss or thinning.

Chemotherapy affects your immune system, so you may also be more likely to catch infections. If you feel unwell or have a temperature of 38°C or higher, seek urgent medical attention.