Oesophageal cancer

The oesophagus is the food pipe that food and drink pass through to get to your stomach.¹ Oesophageal cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the oesophagus grow in an uncontrolled way.^1,2

Your GP may refer you to a specialist if they are concerned about your symptoms and risk factors for oesophageal cancer.¹ Tests to diagnose oesophageal cancer may include:^1,2

• Endoscopy – An endoscope is passed into your mouth, down your throat and into your oesophagus to help enable your doctor to look inside. You may be given intravenous sedation, with the aim that you have no memory of the procedure afterwards.
• Biopsy – If any unusual tissue is detected during the endoscopy, a small amount of tissue will be removed so it can be examined under the microscope. This is called a biopsy and may be done at the same time as the endoscopy.
• Endoscopic ultrasound – An endoscope with an ultrasound probe may be passed through your mouth into your oesophagus. It uses soundwaves to create detailed images of the lining and walls of the oesophagus. It is often used after a diagnosis to determine if the cancer may have spread.
• Laparoscopy – This is a surgical procedure that helps enable doctors to determine if the cancer may have spread from the oesophagus to the abdomen.
• Imaging tests – These might include a PET-CT scan to help determine if there are any other tumours or if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

If you are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, your doctor should explain how far your cancer has progressed, and will be able to help you with any further questions. This is known as staging. Oesophageal cancer is commonly staged with the TNM system.¹ This abbreviation refers to:¹

• Tumour: Your doctors will measure the size of the tumour and how far it has grown into the oesophagus wall
• Nodes: Refers to whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes
• Metastasis: Refers to whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body

The treatment for oesophageal cancer will depend on how advanced it is. Treatment options offered may include:^1,2

Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is an approach to cancer therapy which involves the administration of medicine, usually orally or by injection, which is intended to kill cancer cells or minimise their growth and spread. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments.³

Radiation therapy - Radiation therapy may be offered in the early stages of cancer treatment, or after it has started to spread. There are different radiation therapy techniques which may be suitable for different cancer types at different stages.⁴

Surgery - There are two types of surgery for oesophageal cancer:^1,2

• Endoscopic resection – May be used in the very early stages of the disease. It involves using an endoscope (a long flexible tube) to remove the abnormal cells
• Oesophagectomy – Removes part or all of the oesophagus, depending on where the cancer is and how it has spread. If part of the oesophagus is removed, the remaining portion is joined to the stomach. If the whole oesophagus is removed, the stomach or part of your bowel may be used to replace it.

We understand that a cancer diagnosis may be life-changing for you and those close to you. Our dedicated care team is there to help deliver a personalised care experience by listening, aiming to build your confidence, settling your emotions, and providing evidence-based treatment.

Your care team aims to get to know you as a person. At GenesisCare we believe care should be focused on you, the individual, not the condition. We don't want you to feel alone. Your nursing and oncology team are here to help support you before, during, and after your cancer treatment. We are here to help guide you to get the multidisciplinary support you need from experts such as psychologists, exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, and dietitians.

Other oesophageal cancer information, resources and support services are available to assist you during your cancer journey. These include:

Cancer Council Australia
13 11 20
cancer.org.au

Australian Cancer Research Foundation
02 9223 7833
acrf.com.au