At Englewood Health, our multidisciplinary teams specialize in the treatment of esophageal cancer, offering comprehensive care that includes support from patient navigators, nutritionists, pain and palliative care specialists, and other supportive services. 

Your team meets regularly to review your case, discuss test results, recommend treatment options, and develop a personalized plan of care tailored to your needs.

Your Care Team

Your treatment team may include:

  • Gastroenterologists:  Medical doctors who are experts in digestive health. They perform diagnostic procedures such as endoscopies and help manage esophageal cancer, particularly in its early diagnostic stages.
  • Medical oncologists: Specialists who oversee the medications used to treat esophageal cancer, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
  • Radiation oncologists: Doctors who plan and administer precise radiation therapy.
  • Thoracic surgeons: Surgeons who specialize in operations involving the chest, including esophagectomies to remove cancerous parts of the esophagus.
  • Nutritionists or dietitians: Professionals who offer guidance on maintaining proper nutrition during treatment to support your overall health and recovery.
  • Speech and swallowing therapists: Specialists who help manage and rehabilitate speech and swallowing problems related to esophageal cancer and its treatment.

Surgery for Esophageal Cancer

If you have esophageal cancer that is localized and has not spread extensively, you may be able to have surgery. Whenever possible, our thoracic surgeons perform minimally invasive esophageal cancer surgery, including robotic surgery, operating through small incisions that result in less discomfort and a quicker recovery. Depending on your tumor’s location, size, and stage, surgical options may include:

  • Esophagectomy: Removal of part or all of the esophagus. If only part of the esophagus is removed, the surgeon reattaches the two remaining ends to each other.
  • Lymph node removal: Lymph nodes near the esophagus are taken out to check for cancer spread, helping guide further treatment.
  • Reconstructive surgery: Following an esophagectomy, reconstructive surgery may be performed to restore the continuity of the digestive tract, often using a portion of the stomach or colon.

Interventional Esophageal Cancer Treatments

Some early-stage esophageal cancers and precancers can be taken out or destroyed using endoscopic techniques, which are performed through a scope inserted into the mouth and esophagus—without any external incisions. These treatments include:

  • Endoscopic tissue removal: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is done to remove esophageal precancers or very early-stage esophageal cancers.
  • Radiofrequency ablation: Esophageal precancers and small tumors in the esophageal lining may be destroyed using intense heat.
  • Cryotherapy: The endoscopist uses intense cold to freeze abnormal esophageal lesions before removing them.
  • Stent placement: If a tumor has grown so large that it is blocking the esophagus, the endoscopist can insert a mesh tube to widen the opening, allowing for the passage of food.

Medical Treatments for Esophageal Cancer

Chemotherapy plus radiation therapy is a common treatment for esophageal cancers. We try to schedule your chemotherapy and radiation therapy appointments for the same days so you don't have to make extra trips for your care.

Our Infusion Center, located on the Englewood Hospital campus, provides a comfortable and convenient environment for patients undergoing systemic therapy. We also offer medical treatments at our Jersey City and Fair Lawn locations.

  • Molecular Testing: Conducted on tumors to identify specific mutations, enabling the use of personalized, targeted treatments.
  • Targeted therapy: Drugs that specifically target the molecules fueling cancer cell growth, offering a more focused approach with potentially fewer side effects.
  • Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer drugs may be given before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells. These drugs may be used at the same time radiation therapy has been prescribed to boost treatment effectiveness.
  • Immunotherapy: Enhances the body’s immune response to find and attack cancer cells, particularly for advanced esophageal cancer.

Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

Radiation therapy is a key treatment for esophageal cancer and is customized to the tumor’s characteristics and your overall health. It is particularly effective for localized cancers or for patients who cannot have surgery, and is often given with chemotherapy. At Englewood Health’s Coe Radiation Oncology Center, we utilize cutting-edge technologies to precisely target cancerous tissues while minimizing exposure to healthy areas, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

  • External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): This common form of radiation therapy delivers high-energy beams to the tumor. It is often used before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
  • Brachytherapy: Radioactive material placed directly inside or near an esophageal tumor delivers high doses of radiation while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

Geriatric Oncology for Esophageal Cancer

At Englewood Health, we offer specialized care for older adults diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Our team focuses on the unique needs of elderly patients, tailoring treatment plans to address both the cancer and any age-related health concerns. With a comprehensive approach that balances effective cancer treatment and maintaining quality of life, we provide personalized care that takes into account the patient's overall well-being and treatment tolerability.

Clinical Trials

Our oncologists participate in many clinical trials evaluating promising new treatment options for esophageal cancer. A clinical trial may give you access to a cutting-edge therapy that is not yet available as a standard treatment. Your care team will let you know if you may be eligible for any clinical trials. The decision to participate is entirely yours.

Survivorship Services 

After completing multidisciplinary therapy, patients are guided through a comprehensive survivorship meeting. This meeting provides an opportunity to review the treatments received and establish a personalized plan for ongoing surveillance and follow-up care. Our team will assess your current health status, discuss strategies for monitoring your recovery, and help ensure you have the necessary support for long-term well-being following esophageal cancer treatment.