Houston Methodist’s specialists are experts in diagnosing and treating esophageal cancer.
We provide advanced esophageal cancer care at seven locations across the Greater Houston area, allowing you or your loved one to receive treatment close to home or work.
Why Choose Houston Methodist for Esophageal Cancer Treatment
Our specialists, nurses and staff ensure each person receives expert cancer care in an environment that's compassionate and supported by a team-based approach and research.
The benefits of choosing our esophageal cancer care team include:
Collaborative care provided by experts in gastroenterology, surgery, oncology and radiology, who work together to design a treatment plan tailored to your specific esophageal cancer
Advanced diagnostics and treatment options, including laser therapy and minimally invasive esophagectomy
Reconstructive surgeons who restore form and function lost due to esophageal cancer or its treatment
Oncology nurse navigators who guide you through your esophageal cancer care — from diagnosis through survivorship
Access to clinical trials offering potentially promising esophageal cancer treatments not available to the general public
Support through and beyond your recovery
Routine screening for people who are at high risk for esophageal cancer
About Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer arises when cells that make up the tissue lining the esophagus grow out of control.
The two most common forms of esophageal cancer are named for the type of cell that becomes cancerous:
Squamous cell carcinoma (also called epidermoid carcinoma) arises from squamous (skin) cells, the thin, flat cells lining the esophagus. This particular type of cancer is most often found in the upper and middle part of the esophagus, but can occur anywhere along the esophagus.
Adenocarcinoma begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids and usually form in the lower part of the esophagus, near the stomach.
The risk factors for esophageal cancer include:
Smoking
Heavy alcohol consumption
Having Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that may be caused by gastric reflux (heartburn), which irritates the esophagus
Race – African-American men are more likely to develop esophageal cancer
If you have a higher risk, it does not mean you will get esophageal cancer. However, you may be followed closely to look for early cancers and pre-cancers.
Experts at Houston Methodist recommend people with a high risk of esophageal cancer be screened regularly via upper endoscopy. During this test, the doctor looks at the inside of the esophagus through a flexible, lighted tube (an endoscope or esophagoscope) inserted through the mouth. A biopsy may or may not be taken at this time.
Esophageal cancer symptoms include:
Problems swallowing food or even liquids
Feeling like food is stuck in the throat or chest
Choking on food
Involuntary weight loss due to problems swallowing
Dark/black stool
Fatigue
Chest pain
Hoarseness
Chronic cough
Hiccups and vomiting
Some of these symptoms are common in other disorders of the esophagus that are not cancerous, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal motility disorders. Esophageal cancer is rarely diagnosed in people without symptoms and is usually discovered because of tests done for other medical problems or due to screening.
It's important to consult with your doctor if you notice one or more symptoms of esophageal cancer. When detected early, there is a better chance of recovery.
If your doctor suspects esophageal cancer, a variety of tests and procedures may be used to further examine the esophagus, including:
Physical exam and medical history
Chest X-ray
Barium swallow test – after drinking a white, chalky fluid (barium) that coats the walls of your esophagus, X-rays are taken to visualize whether there are abnormal areas of the esophagus
Esophagoscopy (or upper endoscopy) – a thin, flexible, lighted tube is inserted into your mouth and guided gently down your throat, enabling your doctor to look for abnormal areas in your esophagus, as well as remove a tissue sample for biopsy, if needed
Biopsy – the only definitive way to diagnose esophageal cancer, esophageal tissue is removed and examined under a microscope by a pathologist
If esophageal cancer is diagnosed, follow-up tests are used to determine if the cancer has spread within the esophagus or to other parts of the body. This is called staging and is vital in guiding treatment choices. Various imaging tests, including bronchoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound, may be used during this process.
The highly skilled medical oncologists and thoracic surgeons at Houston Methodist offer the most advanced esophageal cancer treatments available.
