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Esophageal Cancer Center - North Little Rock, AR

North Little Rock 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 North Little Rock *

Arkansas Cancer Institute
Omar T Atiq
7200 S Hazel St
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 535-2800

White County Oncology
Ryan Koch
3130 E Race Ave
STE 200
Searcy, AR 72143
(501) 278-3045

North Little Rock, Arkansas

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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 North Little Rock

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby North Little Rock Hospitals *

Eugene J Towbin Healthcare Center
2200 Fort Roots Dr
North Little Rock, AR 72114
(501)257-1000

Arkansas Children's Hospital
1 Childrens Way
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501)364-1100

UAMS Medical Center
4301 W Markham St
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501)686-7000

Arkansas State Hospital
305 S Palm St
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501)686-9000

John L McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital
4300 W 7th St
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501)257-1000

Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock
3333 Springhill Dr
North Little Rock, AR 72117
(501)202-3000

Select Specialty Hospital Little Rock
Two St Vincent Cir
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501)661-4198

St Vincent Health System
Two St Vincent Cir
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501)552-3000

St Vincent Doctors Hospital
6101 St Vincent Cir
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501)552-6000

St Vincent Medical Center North
2215 Wildwood Ave
Sherwood, AR 72120
(501)552-7100

St Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital
2201 Wildwood Ave
Sherwood, AR 72120
(501)834-1800

Baptist Medical Center Little Rock
9601 Interstate 630
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501)202-2000

The BridgeWay Hospital
21 Bridgeway Rd
North Little Rock, AR 72113
(501)771-1500

Arkansas Heart Hospital
1701 S Shackleford Rd
Little Rock, AR 72211
(501)219-7000

Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
11501 Financial Center Pkwy
Little Rock, AR 72211
(501)223-3322

Methodist Behavioral Hospital
1601 Murphy Dr
Maumelle, AR 72113
(501)803-3388

North Metro Medical Center
1400 Braden St
Jacksonville, AR 72076
(501)985-7000

Rivendell Behavioral Health Services
100 Rivendell Dr
Benton, AR 72019
(501)316-1255

Saline Memorial Hospital
1 Medical Park Dr
Benton, AR 72015
(501)776-6000

Conway Regional Medical Center
2302 College Ave
Conway, AR 72032
(501)329-3831

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