institute for cancer research

Esophageal Cancer Treatment

Introduction

The plan for esophageal cancer treatment is devised in accordance with a series of factors. These primarily include:

i)                   Stage of the disease

ii)                  Specific symptoms

iii)                Overall state of health of the patient

Besides, the therapeutic procedures for the stomach cancer treatment plan are also designed in accordance with such specific factors.

Treatment Options

There are a number of options available for esophageal cancer treatment. Foremost, in cases where the cancer has not spread to other organs, surgery is considered to be most useful.

Generally, for the esophageal cancer treatment, a surgical procedure known as esophagectomy will be conducted to remove the majority of esophagus. The remaining healthy part of the esophagus is then connected to the stomach, using a plastic tube or a part of the intestine. In some cases, lymph nodes near the esophagus might also be removed for analysis of further cancer being present.

In addition, most of such patients will then receive combination treatment including radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In radiation therapy, high energy x-rays and other forms of radiation are used to kill cancer cells. External and internal radiation therapies are two main forms of procedures used for the purpose.

Meanwhile, as a part of the esophageal cancer treatment, chemotherapy is also used to kill the cells or stop them from dividing. It is either administered through the mouth or injected into the vein or the muscle.

Other forms of therapies being used in esophageal cancer treatment include laser therapy and electrocoagulation.

Stomach Cancer Treatment

As for the esophageal cancer treatment, the remedial plan for stomach cancer treatment is also devised in accordance with a series of factors.

The main options for the stomach cancer treatment also include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and chemoradiation. In addition, new options such as the biologic therapy are also being tested in clinical trials for stomach cancer treatment.

The main types of surgery for stomach cancer treatment include endoluminal stent placement, endoscopic laser surgery and electrocautery.

Meanwhile, chemotherapy is also used for the stomach cancer treatment. It can either be administered through the mouth or injected into the veins and muscles. The way chemotherapy is given is decided on the basis of the type and stage of the cancer being treated. Radiation therapy can also be administered, in external as well as internal forms.

In the time being, chemoradiation combines chemotherapy and radiation therapy to increase the effects of the both the radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Thus, such options form the mainstay of both the esophageal cancer treatment as well as stomach cancer treatment.

© 2005 - Cancer Treatment - Prevention - Research - A.P.John Cancer Institute
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