MedicineNet

Esophageal Cancer Center - Memphis, TN

Memphis 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 Memphis *

St Jude Children's Research Hospital Oncology
Wayne Furman
262 Danny Thomas Pl
RM C6016
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 595-2153

St Jude Children's Research Hospital Oncology
Victor M Santana
262 Danny Thomas Pl
RM C6016
Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 595-2153

Cancer Care Center
Brian N Walker
322 LBB_Hospital Blvd
Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 668-1668

Cancer Care Center
Archie W Wright
322 LBB_Hospital Blvd
Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 668-1668

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is a city in the southwest corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis)

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Memphis
Throughout Memphis, Tennessee
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Jonesboro
Throughout Jonesboro, Arkansas
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Forest City
Throughout Forest City, Arkansas
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Collierville
Throughout Collierville, Tennessee
2012-11-03
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Jonesboro
Throughout Jonesboro, Arkansas
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Forrest City
Throughout Forrest City, Arkansas
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Collierville
Throughout Collierville, Tennessee

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 Memphis

  • In case of Emergency, call 911
  • Police Deptartmen 901-545-2677
  • Fire and Emergency Services (301) 677-2117 or (410) 674-2117

Nearby Memphis Hospitals *

St Jude Children's Research Hospital
332 N Lauderdale St
Memphis, TN 38105
(901)495-3300

LeBonheur Children's Medical Center
50 N Dunlap St
Memphis, TN 38103
(901)287-5437

Regional Medical Center at Memphis
877 Jefferson Ave
Memphis, TN 38103
(901)545-7100

Memphis Mental Health Institute
951 Court Ave
Memphis, TN 38103
(901)577-1434

Memphis VA Medical Center
1030 Jefferson Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901)523-8990

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital
1282 Union Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901)722-2000

Methodist University Hospital
1265 Union Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901)516-7000

Crittenden Regional Hospital
200 Tyler Ave
West Memphis, AR 72301
(870)735-1500

Methodist Healthcare South Hospital
1300 Wesley Dr
Memphis, TN 38116
(901)516-3700

Delta Medical Center
3000 Getwell Rd
Memphis, TN 38118
(901)369-8100

Methodist Healthcare North Hospital
3960 New Covington Pike
Memphis, TN 38128
(901)516-5200

Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis
6019 Walnut Grove Rd
Memphis, TN 38120
(901)226-5000

Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital
6019 Walnut Grove Rd
Memphis, TN 38120
(901)226-1400

Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
6225 Humphreys Blvd
Memphis, TN 38120
(901)227-9000

Saint Francis Hospital
5959 Park Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
(901)765-1000

Select Specialty Hospital Memphis
5959 Park Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
(901)765-1245

Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto
7601 Southcrest Pkwy
Southaven, MS 38671
(662)772-4000

Methodist LeBonheur Germantown
7691 Poplar Ave
Germantown, TN 38138
(901)516-6418

Baptist Rehabilitation Hospital Germantown
2100 Exeter Rd
Germantown, TN 38138
(901)757-1350

Saint Francis Hospital Bartlett
2986 Kate Bond Rd
Memphis, TN 38133
(901)820-7000

Lakeside Behavioral Health System
2911 Brunswick Rd
Memphis, TN 38133
(901)377-4700

Parkwood Behavioral Health System
8135 Goodman Rd
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662)895-4900

Baptist Memorial Hospital Collierville
1500 W Poplar Ave
Collierville, TN 38017
(901)861-9000

Baptist Memorial Hospital Tipton
1995 Highway 51 S
Covington, TN 38019
(901)476-2621

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.