Research on the treatment and prevention of this cancer is now being done at many places across the nation.

Genetics: Changes in certain genes seem to cause normal cells to change into cancer cells. Once more is known, we might be able to design tests to find cancer of the esophagus at an earlier stage. In the future it might even be possible to find a way to repair these cancer cells.

Drug treatment: Studies are also being done on new ways to combine chemotherapy drugs to get the best results. Other studies are testing ways to combine chemo and radiation treatment. Likewise, drugs that block new blood vessels from forming and "feeding" the tumor are being tested for cancer of the esophagus.

New drugs that target certain substances in the cancer cell are becoming available. This is known as targeted therapy and it has been successful in some other cancers. It is now being tested in esophagus cancer.

Immunotherapy: There are also studies being done on treatments that boost the patient's immune system to better fight the cancer.

Screening and prevention: Efforts are being made to reduce obesity, a major risk factor for this cancer. Researchers are also looking at better ways to find and treat Barrett esophagus, too.

Last Medical Review: 05/28/2009
Last Revised: 05/28/2009