Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
Patient Portal

We noticed you are on our AU page. Want to switch regions? Choose from the options:

US
UK
ES
GenesisCare - logo
Patients
Cancer care
Exploring cancer care
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
All cancers we treat
Cancer treatments
Radiation therapy
Medical oncology
Theranostics
Telehealth at GenesisCare
Benign services
Benign disease services
Dupuytren's Disease
Ledderhose Disease
Plantar Fasciitis
Achilles Tendonitis
Keloid Scars
Heart & sleep care
Cardiology and sleep medicine
Cardiology and sleep services
Cardiology and sleep conditions
Doctors and centres
Refer a patient
Clinical trials
Clinical trials
View clinical trials
Patient support
Resources
Helpful organisations
Exercise medicine
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander care
Carers roles & challenges
Dealing with loss
Wellbeing blog
Our patient stories
Cancer treatment journey
About us
Who we are
Contact us
GenesisCare Foundation
Our leadership team
Working with us
Working with patients
Net Promotor Score
News
Healthcare professionals
Oncology
Radiation therapy
Elekta Unit MR-Linac
Modern radiation therapy
DCiSionRT
Research
Clinical CRO
Clinical CRO
Clinical trials
Publications
Our team
Multidisciplinary teams
Find a centre
Find a doctor
GenesisCare - logo
Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
Patient Portal

We noticed you are on our AU page. Want to switch regions? Choose from the options:

US
UK
ES
Find a centre
Find a doctor
Patients
Cancer care
Exploring cancer care
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
All cancers we treat
Cancer treatments
Radiation therapy
Medical oncology
Theranostics
Telehealth at GenesisCare
Benign services
Benign disease services
Dupuytren's Disease
Ledderhose Disease
Plantar Fasciitis
Achilles Tendonitis
Keloid Scars
Heart & sleep care
Cardiology and sleep medicine
Cardiology and sleep services
Cardiology and sleep conditions
Doctors and centres
Refer a patient
Clinical trials
Clinical trials
View clinical trials
Patient support
Resources
Helpful organisations
Exercise medicine
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander care
Carers roles & challenges
Dealing with loss
Wellbeing blog
Our patient stories
Cancer treatment journey
About us
Who we are
Contact us
GenesisCare Foundation
Our leadership team
Working with us
Working with patients
Net Promotor Score
News
Healthcare professionals
Oncology
Radiation therapy
Elekta Unit MR-Linac
Modern radiation therapy
DCiSionRT
Research
Clinical CRO
Clinical CRO
Clinical trials
Publications
Our team
Multidisciplinary teams
Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
Patient Portal
  • Patients
  • Exploring cancer care
  • Conditions we treat
  • Gastrointestinal Cancer
  • Oesophageal cancer

Introduction

Oesophageal cancer treatment and diagnosis

Oesophageal cancer

The oesophagus is part of the digestive system. It carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Cancer in the oesophagus is rare, and it’s more common in men over 60.

image alt

What is oesophageal cancer?

Chapter 1

What is oesophageal cancer?

Oesophageal cancer is cancer that can begin in any part of the oesophagus (lower, middle or upper).

There are two main types:

  • Oesophageal adenocarcinoma – tarts in the mucus glands of the oesophagus. It usually develops in the lower part of the oesophagus at the junction with the stomach
  • Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma – starts in the inner lining of the oesophagus. It often develops in the upper and middle part of the oesophagus

Causes of oesophageal cancer

It isn’t clear what causes oesophageal cancer. But some things can increase your risk. These include:

  • A high-fat diet low in fruit and vegetables
  • Being exposed to certain chemicals over a long period
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having another oesophagus condition such as Barrett’s oesophagus
  • Heavy drinking
  • Smoking

Make an enquiry

Contact us today to find out how GenesisCare can help you.

Enquire Now

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer

Chapter 2

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer

It can be difficult to spot the first signs of oesophageal cancer. They may include:

  • Feeling tired, or shortness of breath
  • Indigestion or heart burn that doesn’t go away
  • Nausea and vomiting related to eating
  • Pain or difficulty swallowing
  • Unexplained weight loss and losing your appetite

Having these symptoms doesn’t mean you have oesophageal cancer, but it’s best to get them checked by a doctor. The sooner your cancer is detected, the better the chances of treating it successfully.

Tests and diagnosis

Chapter 3

Tests and diagnosis

Tests and diagnosis

After discussing your symptoms, your doctor will usually examine your abdomen. They may look for small swellings or signs of oesophageal cancer. You may be referred to a specialist for some of the following tests:

  • Endoscopy – a small tissue sample may be taken for tests
  • Further physical examination
  • Laparoscopy
  • Scans including CT, MRI or PET-CT
  • Blood tests, including nutritional elements (vitamins and minerals)

Treatments we offer

Chapter 4

Treatments we offer

Treatments we offer
Find your nearest center
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy

Treatment of oesophageal cancer depends on its location (upper, middle, lower) and how advanced the cancer is. Your specialist doctor will discuss options with you which may include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.

Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.

Disclaimer
Any procedure including treatments involving radiation carry risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with a referral for treatment, patients should be advised to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. As in any medical procedure, patient experiences and outcomes will vary.

Thank you for submitting.

We will be in touch within 24 hours

An unexpected error has occurred.

You will need to complete the form again, sorry for the inconvenience.

How can we help?

Our staff will provide answers to your questions withing 24 hours. Otherwise, if you have a medical emergency please call 000.

*Indicates a required field

Read next

Treatment

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer.

Treatment

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread.

Page

Our centres

Across Australia, the UK, the USA, and Spain we have over 440 oncology, cardiology & sleep medicine centres.

Page

Our doctors

GenesisCare attracts and retains some of the most experienced doctors in the country.

US Genesis Logo

GenesisCare

Who is GenesisCare
Safety and quality: Oncology
GenesisCare Foundation

Website policies

Our privacy policy
Employee Privacy Policy
Open Disclosure and Credentialing Policies
Cookie Preferences

Contact us

COVID-19
Careers
Make an enquiry at GenesisCare
Refer a patient

Media & Social

News Room - What's been happening
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Youtube
Vimeo

Copyright © 2022 GenesisCare. All Rights Reserved.