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Esophageal Cancer Center - Meridian, ID

Meridian 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

Meridian, Idaho

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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 Meridian

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Meridian Hospitals *

St Luke's Meridian Medical Center
520 S Eagle Rd
Meridian, ID 83642
(208)706-5000

Treasure Valley Hospital
8800 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)373-5000

Sunhealth Behavioral Health System for Boise
8050 Northview St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)327-0504

Intermountain Hospital
303 N Allumbaugh St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)377-8400

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
1055 N Curtis Rd
Boise, ID 83706
(208)367-2121

Mercy Medical Center
1512 12th Ave Rd
Nampa, ID 83686
(208)467-1171

Boise VA Medical Center
500 W Fort St
Boise, ID 83702
(208)422-1000

Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital
600 N Robbins Rd
Boise, ID 83702
(208)489-4444

St Luke's Regional Medical Center
190 E Bannock St
Boise, ID 83712
(208)381-2222

West Valley Medical Center
1717 Arlington Ave
Caldwell, ID 83605
(208)459-4641

Walter Knox Memorial Hospital
1202 E Locust St
Emmett, ID 83617
(208)365-3561

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