Esophageal Cancer

Expert Esophageal Cancer Care, Close to Home  

The esophagus is the muscular tube that moves food from the back of the throat to the stomach. It is lined with different types of cells depending on the area. The upper and middle parts of the esophagus are normally lined with squamous cells, which are flat cells similar to those found in the skin. Cancers that start here are squamous cell carcinomas or epidermoid cancers.

The lower part of the esophagus, near where it connects to the stomach, can sometimes be lined with columnar epithelium — tall, column-shaped cells that are normally found in the stomach and intestines. Cancers that start in these cells are called adenocarcinomas.

At Texas Oncology, our expert physicians specialize in diagnosing and treating esophageal cancer. We work as a team to provide personalized treatment and deliver high-quality care.  

Barrett’s esophagus  

Barrett’s esophagus involves an abnormal amount of columnar epithelium in the lining of the lower esophagus, which should only contain squamous cells. This abnormal epithelium is prone to develop pre-cancerous or pre-malignant changes called dysplasia. Dysplasia is a term used to describe abnormalities in cells that do not appear under the microscope, but are not yet characterized as invasive cancer.  

Diagnosing Esophageal Cancer

Texas Oncology specialists are equipped to diagnose esophageal cancer and may use the following tests for diagnosis:

Chest x-ray

Used during initial staging to check for abnormalities in the lungs or chest that may suggest cancer spread.

Barium swallow (fluoroscopy)

A liquid containing barium is swallowed to coat the esophagus, allowing doctors to view its shape and movement on X-ray. It helps detect tumors, blockages, or irregularities.

CT scan

Provides detailed images of the chest, upper abdomen, and sometimes the neck. It is useful for identifying distant spread (metastasis).

Esophagoscopy

A flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the esophagus to directly view the tumor. It allows for photography and biopsy to determine the cancer’s type and appearance under a microscope.

Thoracoscopy

An endoscopic procedure used to examine the chest cavity, assessing how far the cancer has spread within the chest.

Laparoscopy

Involves inserting a camera through a small incision in the abdomen. It is especially effective for detecting cancer spread to the liver or abdominal lining, often more accurately than CT scans.

Bronchoscopy

Used when the tumor is in the upper esophagus. It helps determine whether the cancer has invaded the trachea or airways.

Endosonography (endoscopic ultrasound)

Combines endoscopy with ultrasound to get detailed images of the esophagus and surrounding tissues. It is highly effective at evaluating tumor depth and lymph node involvement.

Positron emission tomography (PET)

PET scans use a radioactive tracer that is absorbed by cancer cells, making them visible on the scan. This imaging technique is especially useful for detecting whether esophageal cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Although the esophagus does not contain lymph nodes, it is surrounded by a network of them in the chest and upper abdomen. PET scans help doctors identify these affected lymph nodes early, guiding treatment decisions.  

Treatments for Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer treatment is not one size fits all. That is why we personalize your treatment plan based on factors like cancer stage and location, medical history, general health, and treatment goals. Treatment for esophageal cancer may involve one or a combination of the  following therapies:  

Surgery  

Surgery for esophageal cancer involves removing all or part of the esophagus.  

Radiation therapy  

Using high-energy rays, this treatment targets and destroys cancer cells to prevent them from growing or dividing. It might be used as part of the main treatment, before surgery to shrink the cancer, or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.  

Chemotherapy  

Chemotherapy are medications administered through an IV and delivered to the entire body to shrink and kill cancer where the cancer may have spread.  

Targeted therapy  

A type of cancer treatment that targets the proteins that control how cancer cells grow, divide, and spread.  

Immunotherapy  

Utilizes drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to activate the body’s natural defenders to fight esophageal cancer. 

Why Choose Texas Oncology 

Our team of surgeons and oncologists is dedicated to your health and well-being. When you come to us for care, you will find: