Oesophageal cancers are most often revealed by a difficulty in swallowing called dysphagia or by spitting up blood. They are responsible for most cases of weight loss.
There are two types:
- Cancers of the upper 1/3 of the oesophagus that are typically related to tobacco and alcohol.
- Cancers of the middle 1/3 and lower 1/3 of the oesophagus that are associated with reflux of gastric fluid into the oesophagus.
Surgical treatment is the reference point when possible.
For advanced or non-operable tumours, radiotherapy plays an essential role in combination with chemotherapy in the management of these tumours. In the event of a successful response after chemoradiotherapy, surgery is currently being discussed. In the case of tumour residue, it is then carried out.
Before chemoradiotherapy, a feeding tube is usually placed in the stomach: even if feeding is possible at the beginning of the treatment, an inflammation of the oesophagus appears during radiotherapy and makes it difficult.
For tumours of the upper 1/3 of the oesophagus, a restraint mask is applied during the radiotherapy centring scan to keep the patient in the same position during treatment.
The treatment is carried out on daily basis for 5 to 6 weeks, which is 25 to 28 sessions.
Several chemotherapy schematics can be used concurrently depending on the patient’s general condition and history.
