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Esophageal Cancer Center - Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Oncologist Doctors for Esophageal Cancer

Type of Physician: Oncologist

What is a Oncologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer.

Specialty: Oncology (Medical)

Common Name: Cancer Doctor

Oncologist Doctors in Harrisburg *

East Shore Oncology
Roland R Alexander
750 E Park Dr
FL 2
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 558-7350

Nenito P Uy MD
Nenito P Uy
8 Prospect Ave
West Grove, PA 19390
(610) 869-0811

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

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Esophageal Cancer

What is the esophagus?

The esophagus is in the chest. It's about 10 inches long.

This organ is part of the digestive tract. Food moves from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach.

The esophagus is a muscular tube. The wall of the esophagus has several layers:

  • Inner layer or lining (mucosa): The lining of the esophagus is moist so that food can pass to the stomach.
  • Submucosa: The glands in this layer make mucus. Mucus keeps the esophagus moist.
  • Muscle layer: The muscles push the food down to the stomach.
  • Outer layer: The outer layer covers the esophagus.

Cancer Cells

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When normal cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old or damaged cells do not die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Growths in the wall of the esophagus can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). The smooth inner wall may have an abnormal rough area, an area of tiny bumps, or a tumor. Benign growths are not as harmful as malignant growths:

  • Benign growths:
    • are rarely a threat to life
    • can be removed and probably won't grow back
    • don't invade the tissues around them
    • don't spread to other parts of the body
  • Malignant growths:
    • may be a threat to life sometimes
    • can be removed but can grow back
    • can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs
    • can spread to other parts of the body
    /u...

Recommended Reading Related to Esophageal Cancer

Radiation Therapy »

What is radiation therapy?

In radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy), high-energy rays are used to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing. A specialist in radiation therapy is called a radiation oncologist.

What are the types of radiation therapy?

Like surgery, radiation therapy is a local treatment; it affects cancer cells only in the treated area. Radiation can come from a machine (external radiation). It can also come from an implant (a small container of radioactive material) placed directly into or near the tumor (internal radiation). Some patients receive both kinds of radiation therapy.

External radiation therapy is usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic 5 days a week for a number of weeks. Patients are not radioactive during or after the treatment.

For internal radiation therapy, the patient stays in the hospital for a few days. The implant may be temporary or pe...

Emergency Contact for Harrisburg

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Harrisburg Hospitals *

Harrisburg Hospital
111 S Front St
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717)782-3131

Polyclinic Hospital
2501 N 3rd St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717)782-4141

Holy Spirit Hospital
503 N 21st St
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717)763-2100

Select Specialty Hospital Camp Hill
503 N 21st St
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717)972-4575

Community General Osteopathic Hospital Pinnacle Health
4300 Londonderry Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717)652-3000

Helen M Simpson Rehabilitation Hospital
4300 Londonderry Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717)920-4300

HEALTHSOUTH Mechanicsburg Rehabilitation Hospital
175 Lancaster Blvd
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717)691-3700

HEALTHSOUTH Regional Specialty Hospital
4950 Wilson Ln
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717)697-7706

Penn State Hershey Medical Center
500 University Dr
Hershey, PA 17033
(717)531-8521

Penn State Children's Hospital
500 University Dr
Hershey, PA 17033
(717)531-8521

Carlisle Regional Medical Center
361 Alexander Spring Rd
Carlisle, PA 17015
(717)249-1212

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of York
1850 Normandie Dr
York, PA 17408
(717)767-6941

Philhaven
283 S Butler Rd
Mount Gretna, PA 17064
(717)273-8871

Memorial Hospital
325 S Belmont St
York, PA 17403
(717)843-8623

York Hospital
1001 S George St
York, PA 17403
(717)851-2345

The Good Samaritan Hospital
4th & Walnut Sts
Lebanon, PA 17042
(717)270-7500

Lebanon VA Medical Center
1700 S Lincoln Ave
Lebanon, PA 17042
(717)272-6621

Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital
690 Good Dr
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717)544-3700

Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital
675 Good Dr
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717)394-7500

Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center
1500 Highlands Dr
Lititz, PA 17543
(717)625-5000

Hanover Hospital
300 Highland Ave
Hanover, PA 17331
(717)637-3711

Lancaster Regional Medical Center
250 College Ave
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717)291-8211

Lancaster General Hospital
555 N Duke St
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717)544-5511

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