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Esophageal Cancer Radiation Therapy

The esophagus is a hollow tube that brings food from the mouth to the stomach. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 17,000 people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year. In esophageal cancer, malignant cells grow uncontrollably and form tumors that may prohibit food from moving into the stomach. A person may have difficulty swallowing, which leads to decreased appetite and, eventually, weight loss. Radiation is one of several treatment options for people with esophageal cancer.

  1. Treatment Modalities

    • Radiation fights esophageal cancer by shrinking the tumor. It is usually done in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy--combination therapy offers the best outcome. Surgery removes the tumor, and chemotherapy attacks cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Radiation may be done as a primary treatment if surgery is not an option and the patient cannot tolerate chemotherapy. Radiation may also be done on a palliative level, where the goal is comfort--such as less pain and easier swallowing--and not as a cure.

    External Radiation

    • External radiation is administered from a source outside the patient's body. It is conducted using a machine directed at the cancer. The American Cancer Society states that external radiation is usually done before surgery to shrink the tumor, but it may also be done after surgery to kill any residual cells. When radiation is prescribed as a primary treatment, it is administered several days a week for a predetermined length of time. Each session lasts about five minutes.

    Internal Radiation

    • Radiation can also be administered from inside the patient's body. This is known as internal radiation. The patient is placed under anesthesia in the operating room, and an implant is placed in his body near the cancer. Internal radiation is done when a very tiny area requires a large amount of radiation. Although the patient is not radioactive, he should avoid contact with young children and pregnant women when the implant is first inserted.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects of radiation therapy depend on how many X-rays were administered. General side effects are fatigue and skin discoloration (such as redness at the affected area). The mouth may be dry, sore, swollen and inflamed. Eating becomes uncomfortable--or difficult--so it is not unusual for someone undergoing therapy to not eat. Weight loss may become an issue, and the person may eventually need nutritional supplements such as Ensure Plus or Boost.

    Follow-Up Care

    • Someone with esophageal cancer needs to have routine visits with his health care providers in order to monitor changes in his health. A visit might include a physical, X-ray and lab work. If the cancer returns, the odds of survival are best if it is detected early.

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