Esophageal cancer is best suited to a team approach at a tertiary center with experience. Treatment for cancer of the esophagus depends on the location of the tumor and the extent of the disease. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are the options available.
Surgical options may include an esophagectomy to remove the cancerous part of the esophagus, chemotherapy to treat the initial tumor and to attack any metastatic cells and/or radiation therapy. Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) is one innovative technique offered. MIE offers the possibilty of decreasing surgical trauma, speeding the healing process and enhancing quality of life after treatment.
Clinical trials may offer a novel therapeutic approach to this disease and new trials open regularly. We have two ongoing trials, incorporating newer agents including xeloda, iressa and oxaliplatin into treatment protocols.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute developed PDT which is an unique treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer in conjunction with Barrett's esophagus. A photosensitizer, Photofrin?, is injected two days before red-light treatment. The light is delivered through a specially designed endoscope. Photofrin?-PDT has been approved by the FDA for palliative use in patients with advanced cancer of the esophagus, where the esophagus is totally or partially obstructed and the lesions are not suitable for treatment with thermal laser therapy. PDT can be used for early-stage esophageal cancer in conjunction with high-grade dysplasia in conjunction with Barrett's esophagus. PDT can also be used for early-stage and late-stage esophageal cancer.
Other clinical programs for the treatment of esophageal cancer include endoscopic ablation of obstructing esophageal tumors with Nd-YAG laser therapy and PDT with new agent HPPH, in treating obstructing esophageal tumors and Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia. Current surveillance trials in Barretts esophagus are aimed at identification of novel biomarkers that may predict progression to cancer.
Surgical options may include an esophagectomy to remove the cancerous part of the esophagus, chemotherapy to treat the initial tumor and to attack any metastatic cells and/or radiation therapy. Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) is one innovative technique offered. MIE offers the possibilty of decreasing surgical trauma, speeding the healing process and enhancing quality of life after treatment.
Clinical trials may offer a novel therapeutic approach to this disease and new trials open regularly. We have two ongoing trials, incorporating newer agents including xeloda, iressa and oxaliplatin into treatment protocols.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute developed PDT which is an unique treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer in conjunction with Barrett's esophagus. A photosensitizer, Photofrin?, is injected two days before red-light treatment. The light is delivered through a specially designed endoscope. Photofrin?-PDT has been approved by the FDA for palliative use in patients with advanced cancer of the esophagus, where the esophagus is totally or partially obstructed and the lesions are not suitable for treatment with thermal laser therapy. PDT can be used for early-stage esophageal cancer in conjunction with high-grade dysplasia in conjunction with Barrett's esophagus. PDT can also be used for early-stage and late-stage esophageal cancer.
Other clinical programs for the treatment of esophageal cancer include endoscopic ablation of obstructing esophageal tumors with Nd-YAG laser therapy and PDT with new agent HPPH, in treating obstructing esophageal tumors and Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia. Current surveillance trials in Barretts esophagus are aimed at identification of novel biomarkers that may predict progression to cancer.