Esophageal Cancer Treatment: Options, Methods, and What to Expect
Esophageal cancer treatment depends on the type, stage, and overall health of the patient. A combination of therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and in some cases, targeted or immunotherapy, may be used to manage the disease effectively. Early diagnosis often allows for more treatment options and better outcomes, making timely medical intervention crucial in improving survival and quality of life.
There are many ways to treat Esophageal Cancer that include:
Esophageal Cancer surgery is used to remove all the cancer cells when the cancer is small and hasn’t spread. Your doctor can remove the cancer cells using an invasive approach, using an endoscope and several small incisions.
The side effects of surgery include pain, bleeding, lung complications, problems swallowing, nausea, heartburn, and infection.
It uses radiation beams to kill cancer cells. It can be administered externally (with the help of a machine) or internally (with the help of a device placed near the tumor called brachytherapy).
It can also be used to help with symptoms like pain, bleeding, and trouble swallowing that happen if cancer has grown very large and has spread to other parts of the body. It is often combined with chemotherapy.
Side effects are severe with combined treatment that include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and painful sores in the mouth and throat.
Chemotherapy for Esophageal Cancer involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be used before or after surgery. The drugs can be given intravenously or taken as pills.
It is given in cycles, and each cycle is followed by a break that gives the body time to recover. Treatment often lasts for many months. It is often given with radiation therapy.
Side effects can include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pain, but the problem will go away after the treatment ends.
It is a treatment that boosts your immune system to attack the cancer cells. These drugs may be given into the vein.
Side effects may include fatigue, rashes, and stomach sickness, and these will go away after the treatment ends.
Please visit the Immunotherapy page to learn more.
This therapy targets specific proteins on cancer cells to treat cancer. These affect mainly the cancer cells and not the normal cells in the body.
Treatment is dependent upon the stage of cancer.
In this stage, the abnormal cells look similar to cancer cells, but they are only found in the esophagus'(the epithelium) inner layer of cells.
Endoscopic treatments such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) are common treatment options.
After endoscopic treatment, long-term follow-up with frequent upper endoscopy is critical to look for pre-cancer (or cancer) cells in the esophagus.
An esophagectomy is another option for removing the abnormal part of the esophagus. This is a major procedure, but one advantage of this method is that it does not require lifelong endoscopy monitoring.
In this stage, cancer has spread to the deeper layers of the esophagus wall (past the innermost layer of cells) but has not yet spread to the lymph nodes or other organs.
Most T1 cancer patients who are healthy enough will have surgery (esophagectomy) to remove the cancerous portion of their esophagus.
If there are signs that cancer has not been completely removed, chemoradiation (a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy) may be recommended after surgery.
In stage II, cancers have grown into the main muscle layer of the esophagus or the connective tissue on the outside of the esophagus. Some cancers have spread to one or two nearby lymph nodes at this stage.
In Stage III, some cancers have grown through the esophageal wall to the outer layer, as well as cancers that have grown into nearby organs or tissues. Most cancers that have spread to nearby lymph nodes are included.
Chemoradiation (chemotherapy plus radiation therapy), followed by surgery, is the most common treatment for these cancers in people who are healthy enough. If lab tests reveal that some cancer remains after surgery, treatment with an immunotherapy drug like nivolumab (Opdivo) may be an option.
Chemoradiation is used to treat people who cannot have surgery due to other serious health issues or because their cancer is too large to be removed. Chemoradiation, immunotherapy, or a combination of the two may be used if chemoradiation is not an option.
Esophageal cancer in stage IV has spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs.
In general, these cancers are extremely difficult to completely eradicate, so attempting to cure cancer through surgery is usually not a feasible option.
The goal of treatment is to keep cancer under control for as long as possible while also lessening any symptoms it may be causing.
Chemotherapy is used to help patients feel better and live longer (possibly in combination with targeted drug therapy or immunotherapy). Pain or difficulty swallowing may be treated with radiation therapy or other treatments.
India, the US, the UK, and Singapore provide effective treatment for esophageal cancer. However, the treatment cost varies from country to country.
The cost of treatment of esophageal cancer is nearly half.
India is known for providing high-quality care at a low cost to esophageal cancer patients from other countries.
Doctors in India’s healthcare system are well-trained. India has specialized and well-trained operative and post-operative care teams. These groups are capable of resolving complex cases for a reasonable price.
So, if you’re looking for the best combination of outcome and affordability, India might be the better choice.
How to Choose the Best Hospital for Esophageal Cancer Treatment in India?
Choose a hospital that has cutting-edge technology and a multidisciplinary oncology team that includes medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, as well as well-trained paramedical staff.
The success and survival rates of the oncology team and the hospital should also be considered.
You might want to look at the MedicoExperts Panel, which was created using the criteria listed above.
For a successful outcome and higher success and survival rates, you should rely on a team of doctors rather than just one. The Tumour Board is another name for this multidisciplinary approach.
The tumor board method is a novel way to improve esophageal cancer patient survival rates. To achieve the best possible treatment outcome, highly skilled medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists collaborate closely on the case.
MedicoExperts helps patients all over the world get the best possible treatment and survival rates by using this tumor board approach to treating them.
The Cost of esophageal cancer treatment in India can range anywhere between $3000-$5000 (223243 – 372071 INR) depending upon the quality of treatment and hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. What are the main treatment options for esophageal cancer?
A. The main treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and in some cases, targeted or immunotherapy based on the cancer stage and type.
Q2. Can esophageal cancer be cured with treatment?
A. If detected early, esophageal cancer may be curable with appropriate treatment. In advanced stages, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression.
Q3. How do doctors decide the right treatment plan?
A. Doctors consider factors like cancer type, stage, patient’s health, and response to previous treatments to create a personalized treatment plan.
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Author Bio:
Dr. Yashashree Joshi – MBBS, MD (Philippines)
Dr. Yashashree Joshi, MD, is a globally-trained oncologist with a robust academic background and extensive experience in pioneering cancer treatments. Dedicated to patient-centered care, she continually integrates the latest advancements in oncology to provide her patients with innovative and personalized treatment plans.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
