Treatment options

A team of specialists will meet to discuss the best possible treatment for you. This is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Learn more about the different roles that make up your cancer team.

You might have treatment to cure the cancer. If a cure is not possible, the aim of treatment is to control the cancer and help with the symptoms (palliative treatment).

Your treatment for oesophageal cancer depends on:

• the type of cancer you have
• where the cancer is in the oesophagus or stomach
• the stage of the cancer
• your general health
• your personal choices

 

• Surgery to remove the cancer or relieve symptoms. Learn more about cancer surgery at Royal Surrey.

 

• Chemotherapy which uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can be given before and after surgery. It can be given on its own, with radiotherapy (chemoradiation) or with targeted therapy. It may also be used for people who cannot have surgery (palliative treatment). Read more about chemotherapy at Royal Surrey Cancer Centre.

 

• Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to treat cancer. It may be given in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation). If the cancer is more advanced, you may have radiotherapy on its own to shrink the tumour and help control symptoms. Discover more about radiotherapy at Royal Surrey Cancer Centre.

 

• Targeted therapy or immunotherapy — find our more about immunotherapy at Royal Surrey Cancer Centre.

 

The treatment options and considerations for these decisions will be discussed with you in your surgical appointment.