Carcinoma of Esophagus

Oesophagus, or more commonly known as food pipe, connects our mouth to the stomach. It is a long tube that starts in the neck, goes through our chest hugging our wind pipe (trachea and bronchus) and the heart and then reaches our stomach.

Cancer in the food pipe is quite common and often deemed untreatable. However, this far from the truth. A combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery is recommended for treatment.  However, surgery is a very perhaps the most important element in the treatment of cancer of the oesophagus.

A person suffering from cancer of the oesophagus will typically have difficulty in swallowing, first to solid foods and then gradually to liquids and finally will find swallowing owns saliva very difficult. It may be accompanied by chest pain, losing weight and weakness.

A doctor will be able to diagnose cancer after an endoscopy and a biopsy. Certain additional imagining like CT scan or a PET scan will be needed for staging (extent to which the cancer has spread). After this a treatment plan can be made.

When the cancer is situated in the lower two third of the oesophagus, a neoadjuvant treatment with either chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy along with radiotherapy is generally recommended after which entire food pipe must be removed by surgery (aka Oesophagectomy).*

If the cancer is in the food pipe in the neck (cervical oesophagus) surgery is not recommended and the treatment is with chemotherapy along with radiotherapy.

After the completion of the treatment regular follow up as recommended by you doctor is a key to the overall success of the treatment. Close follow for the first two years is recommended.

Many individuals with this cancer go back to normal activities with minor lifestyle changes and lead a fulfilling life. Cancer can be beaten with the right treatment.

*This is the general treatment outline for Stage II and Stage III of carcinoma oesophagus in an otherwise fit individual. Treatment of Stage I and Stage IV Carcinoma oesophagus is considerably different. Therefore, this should not be taken as absolute advice and is only for general information.