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In this Article

• Esophageal cancer facts*
• What is the esophagus?
• What is cancer?
• What are the types of esophageal cancer?
• What are esophageal cancer causes and risk factors?
• What are esophageal cancer symptoms and signs?
• How is esophageal cancer diagnosed?
• What are the stages of esophageal cancer?
• What is the treatment for esophageal cancer?
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Should people get a second opinion after an esophageal cancer diagnosis?
• What are the side effects of treatment for cancer of the esophagus?
• What follow-up care is necessary during recovery?
• Where can people get support for esophageal cancer?
• How can people with esophageal cancer participate in clinical trials?
• Where can people find more information about esophageal cancer?
• Patient Comments: Esophageal Cancer - Symptoms and Signs
• Patient Comments: Esophageal Cancer - Prognosis
• Patient Comments: Esophageal Cancer - Types
• Find a local Oncologist in your town
• Esophageal Cancer Index

Most people with esophageal cancer get chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs for esophageal cancer are usually given through a vein (intravenous). You may have your treatment in a clinic, at the doctor's office, or at home. Some people need to stay in the hospital for treatment.

Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Each cycle has a treatment period followed by a rest period.

The side effects depend mainly on which drugs are given and how much. Chemotherapy kills fast-growing cancer cells, but the drug can also harm normal cells that divide rapidly:

• Blood cells: When chemotherapy lowers the levels of healthy blood cells, you're more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak and tired. Your health care team will check for low levels of blood cells. If your levels are low, your health care team may stop the chemotherapy for a while or reduce the dose of drug. There also are medicines that can help your body make new blood cells.



• Cells in hair roots: Chemotherapy may cause hair loss. If you lose your hair, it will grow back, but it may change in color and texture.



• Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy can cause poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Your health care team can give you medicines and suggest other ways to help with these problems.

Other possible side effects include a skin rash, joint pain, tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, hearing problems, or swollen feet or legs. Your healthcare team can suggest ways to control many of these problems. Most go away when treatment ends.