Esophageal Cancer

People with severe medical problems that make it difficult for them to withstand surgery may receive radiation therapy to shrink the tumor or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. In addition, newer forms of radiation therapy, using a machine called a Cyberknife, may be able to now treat lung cancers once thought to be more difficult to treat. The Cyberknife is able to use very focused beams of radiation and therefore allow less damage to the normal tissues surrounding the cancer.

When there is significant tumor spread, chemotherapy drugs may be recommended to slow cancer growth even if it cannot be cured. Chemotherapy has been used to decrease symptoms and in advanced cases of lung cancer. Unfortunately, squamous cell carcinoma does not respond to chemotherapy and radiation therapy as well as other types of tumors.

When there is significant tumor spread, chemotherapy drugs may be recommended to slow cancer growth even if it cannot be cured. Chemotherapy has been used to decrease symptoms in advanced cases of lung cancer. Unfortunately, squamous cell carcinoma does not respond to chemotherapy and radiation therapy as well as other types of tumors.