Esophageal cancer, a tumor of the esophagus or the duct that links the throat with the stomach, is a very hard-to-heal cancer. But early recognition and continuous progress in medicine have made a great impact on the treatment results, and thus, patients have more choices than ever. Being aware of the various treatment methods for esophageal cancer will not only help the patients and their families to make good selections but also to feel more confident in the care process. In this article, we will discuss in detail various options of esophageal cancer treatment.
Diagnosis Prior to Treatment
The Cancer Specialist in Mohali will carry out a series of tests to classify the tumor, determine its size, and locate it before they can start treatment. The diagnostic tests that are most commonly used are:
- Endoscopy and biopsy: To rule out cancer and for pathological analysis of tissue samples.
- CT, PET, or MRI SPECT: To check if the cancer has spread.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): To determine the extent of tumor infiltration of the esophagus.
A thorough check-up will aid the physicians in creating a personalized treatment scheme for each patient.
Treatment Options for Esophageal Cancer
- Surgery
Surgery, as one of the most effective treatments for esophageal cancer at an early and localized stage, is effective. The aim is to excise the malignant portion of the esophagus and the adjacent lymph nodes. The principal surgical methods are:
- Esophagectomy: Total removal of the affected esophageal sections and with the stomach reconnecting the remaining part.
- Minimally Invasive or Robotic Esophagectomy: Innovative ways of achieving surgery with the use of small incisions and cameras, handheld robotic limbs that bring about a decrease in pain, a reduction in scars formed, and a quick healing process.
Surgical procedures for advanced cancers usually entail a combination of chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatment before surgery or after, along with the operation.
- Chemotherapy
As per Cancer Specialist in Chandigarh, the use of chemotherapy is a powerful drug specifically to gain access to and eliminate the cancerous tissues. The treatment can be administered prior to surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) for the purpose of tumor size reduction or post-surgery (adjuvant therapy) for recurrence prevention. The latter stages still receive chemotherapy for symptomatic relief and the slowing down of the disease process.
- Radiation Therapy
The esophagus’s cancerous tissues are eliminated by the high-energy radiation. It is a usual practice to apply radiation and chemical treatment simultaneously (chemoradiation) for better efficacy. Radiotherapy might be carried out before the operation to reduce the size of the tumor, or it could be used as a supportive measure to ease the swallowing process.
- Targeted and Immunotherapy
These are cutting-edge therapies for certain types of esophageal cancer only.
Targeted therapy systematically destroys the particular genetic changes or proteins that act as the cancer’s growth factor. Immunotherapy works by enhancing the capabilities of the body’s own immune system to identify and fight off the cancer cells.
If you are looking for the Best cancer doctor in Chandigarh, or the best Cancer Specialist in Chandigarh, Sohana Hospital might be the right option for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali is home to the World’s Most Advanced technology and North India’s most trusted and experienced cancer specialists who provide the most compassionate and complete cancer care for patients in the region. With your will and the expertise of the doctors, cancer can be conquered!