Stage 0: Surgery is the best therapy for this very early stage of disease and offers the best chance for cure.

Stage I: Most patients with stage I esophageal cancer have their cancer surgically removed. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given before surgery.

Patients who cannot undergo surgery because of other serious health problems can be treated with radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy. Patients who have received chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be cured and not need surgery at all. Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy is an option for people who cannot or do not want to undergo surgery.

Stage II: Treatment options for people with stage II esophageal cancer are surgery or chemoradiation followed by surgery. In some instances, the surgery may not be needed after chemoradiation therapy if there has been a complete disappearance of detectable cancer.

Stage III: Stage III disease is treated much like stage II disease. One treatment is surgery alone. However, many doctors prefer to give chemoradiation therapy before the surgery. In some instances, the cancer becomes completely undetectable with the chemoradiation therapy, and surgery may be avoided.

Stage IV: Because stage IV esophageal cancer has spread to distant organs, cure is not usually possible. Palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy, to relieve trouble swallowing and other symptoms may be needed. Therapies, such as chemotherapy, may also be given with the intent to treat the cancer, but some people may prefer not to undergo treatments with significant side effects, and receive only those therapies that will keep them comfortable and add to their quality of life. Last Revised: 08/04/2006