Radiation therapy for oesophageal cancer

When is radiation therapy recommended?

Also known as radiotherapy, this is the main treatment for oesophageal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery and has not spread to other parts of the body. Radiation in low doses is also often used to shrink cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Radiation therapy uses a controlled dose of radiation, such as focused x-ray beams, to kill or damage cancer cells. The radiation is targeted at the cancer, and treatment is carefully planned to do as little harm as possible to healthy body tissue near the cancer.

Radiation therapy may be given alone or combined with chemotherapy (chemoradiation). Chemoradiation is sometimes the only treatment needed or it may be used before surgery.

Learn more about radiation therapy.

Side effects

The lining of the oesophagus can become sore and inflamed (oesophagitis). This can make swallowing and eating difficult. In rare cases, you may need a temporary feeding tube to help you get enough nutrition. Other side effects can include fatigue, skin redness, loss of appetite and weight loss. Most side effects improve within about 4 weeks of treatment finishing.

Very rarely, radiation therapy can cause longterm side effects. Scar tissue can develop in the oesophagus, making it narrower (oesophageal stricture). Stretching the walls of the oesophagus (dilatation) – done during an endoscopy – can make it easier to swallow food and drink. Radiation therapy can also cause irritation and swelling (inflammation) in the lungs, which can make you short of breath.