Esophageal Cancer Treatment Options

The surgical, radiation, and medical oncologists at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center work with your referring doctor to decide the best treatment approaches for you.

Our multidisciplinary expertise and extensive experience are the foundation of a broad knowledge base that provides insight into each patient’s unique case.

Surgery for Esophageal Cancer

Your care team often suggests surgery when they know that they can remove your tumor.

Our esophageal cancer surgeons are experts in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques to remove cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) tumors.

Surgical treatment for esophageal cancer often goes hand-in-hand with medical or radiation treatment for greater results.

For some people, surgery may present a higher risk. In these cases, your cancer care team may use radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

RFA involves the placement of a probe in the tumor through a needle catheter with CT guidance. Electrical heat energy travels through the probe to kill the cancer cells.

Your surgeon will discuss your options with you after a thorough review of your diagnosis.

Chemotherapy and Medical Oncology for Esophageal Cancer

Medical oncology for esophageal cancer involves the use of:

• Anti-cancer drugs
• Gene therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Regional perfusion

Side effects vary with the type of treatment.

In many cases, your care team will combine medical oncology treatment with surgery or radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

Radiation therapy varies depending on the type and stage of esophageal cancer.

Most radiation treatments use high-energy x-rays or concentrated radioactive materials to safely kill cancer cells.

Doctors often pair radiation therapy with medical treatment for esophageal cancer.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has the largest variety of advanced radiation planning and delivery systems available in western Pennsylvania.

These include:

• 3D radiotherapy
• 4D CT technology
• CyberKnife® and Trilogy® radiation delivery systems
• Image-guided radiation therapy
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy

Contact Us About Esophageal Cancer

To learn more about Esophageal Cancer or to make an appointment, you can:

• Call 412-647-2811.
• Contact a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center near you.