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Esophageal Cancer Center - Monroe, LA

Monroe 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

Monroe, Louisiana

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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 Monroe

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Monroe Hospitals *

P & S Surgical Hospital
312 Grammont St
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)388-4040

St Francis Medical Center
309 Jackson St
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)327-4000

St Francis Specialty Hospital
309 Jackson St
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)327-4608

Glenwood Regional Medical Center
503 McMillan Rd
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318)329-4200

Monroe Surgical Hospital
2408 Broadmoor Blvd
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)410-0002

Louisiana Extended Care Hospital West Monroe
503 McMillan Rd
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318)329-4300

Golden Age Senior Care Hospital
4310 S Grand St
Monroe, LA 71202
(318)651-0920

Premier Rehabilitation Hospital
4310 S Grand St
Monroe, LA 71202
(318)812-1000

EA Conway Medical Center
4864 Jackson St
Monroe, LA 71202
(318)330-7000

Cornerstone Hospital of West Monroe
6198 Cypress St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318)396-5600

St Francis North Hospital
3421 Medical Park Dr
Monroe, LA 71203
(318)388-1946

St Patrick's Psychiatric Hospital
3421 Medical Park Dr
Monroe, LA 71203
(318)327-4686

Sterlington Rehabilitation Hospital
111 Highway 2
Sterlington, LA 71280
(318)665-9950

Bastrop Rehabilitation Hospital
323 W Walnut St
Bastrop, LA 71220
(318)556-1191

Morehouse General Hospital
323 W Walnut St
Bastrop, LA 71220
(318)283-3600

Richardson Medical Center
254 Highway 3048
Rayville, LA 71269
(318)728-4181

Union General Hospital
901 James Ave
Farmerville, LA 71241
(318)368-9751

Citizens Medical Center
7939 US Highway 165 S
Columbia, LA 71418
(318)649-6106

Caldwell Memorial Hospital
411 Main St
Columbia, LA 71418
(318)649-6111

Northern Louisiana Medical Center
401 E Vaughn Ave
Ruston, LA 71270
(318)254-2100

HEALTHSOUTH Specialty Hospital North Louisiana
1401 Ezell St
Ruston, LA 71270
(318)251-3126

Franklin Medical Center
2106 Loop Rd
Winnsboro, LA 71295
(318)435-9411

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