Esophageal cancer care

Esophageal cancer is a malignancy that begins in the lining of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have increased risk for developing cancer of the esophagus because of the continued reflux of acids into the esophagus.

At Advocate Health Care, we know that prevention and early detection lead to the best patient outcomes. We're committed to providing the latest cancer screenings to help you stay proactive about your health. We also offer some of the most advanced treatment techniques available, including minimally invasive endoscopic surgery for less pain, fewer complications and faster recovery.

Find an Advocate Cancer Institute near you.

Symptoms & risk factors

People with esophageal cancer for often experience difficulty swallowing, pain in the throat, back pain between the shoulder blades, chronic cough, hoarseness, vomiting or unexplained weight loss. Men over 60 are at greater risk than women of developing esophageal cancer, but gender and age are not the only risk factors. Long-term heavy alcohol usage, frequent tobacco exposure and preexisting conditions like Barrett’s esophagus or dysplasia can all increase a person’s risk for esophageal cancer.

Detection & diagnosis

Physicians at Advocate Health Care use a number of tests to screen people at high risk or those suspected of having esophageal cancer. These include:

• Esophagogram: A series of X-rays of the esophagus
• Endoscopy (esophagoscopy): A thin, lighted tube that enables the doctor to see inside the esophagus
• Bronchoscopy: A thin scope is inserted through the nose or mouth so the physician can see inside the esophagus.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (endosonography): An advanced procedure that can find tumors less than 1 cm
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (also called EGD or upper endoscopy): Allows your physician to examine the inside of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum using an endoscope and remove tissue samples for biopsy
• Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan): Produces cross-sectional images of organs, bones, muscle and other tissue
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: Assesses metabolic activity within organs or tissue and can be used to detect cancer
• Tissue biopsy: A small sample of tissue is taken and analyzed to confirm whether it is malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous).

Treatments & therapies

If you’re diagnosed with esophageal cancer, rest assured you have some of Illinois’ best experts by your side. Together, our multi-skilled team will work closely with you to create a personal cancer treatment plan, which may include the latest surgical, medical and radiation therapies to destroy cancer cells.

Support for every step

We’re committed to caring for the whole you and providing the resources you and your loved ones need to manage a cancer diagnosis. You’ll find a full range of free or low-cost cancer support services – from education to rehabilitation, nutritional to spiritual counseling, support groups and more empowering programs.