Treatment Options By Stage

For information about the treatments listed below, see the Treatment Option Overview section.

Stage 0 (High-grade Dysplasia)

Treatment of stage 0 may include the following:

• Surgery.
• Endoscopic resection.

Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.

Stage I Esophageal Cancer

Treatment of stage I esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma may include the following:

• Chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery.
• Surgery alone.

Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.

Stage II Esophageal Cancer

Treatment of stage II esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma may include the following:

• Chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery.
• Surgery alone.
• Chemotherapy followed by surgery.
• Chemoradiation therapy alone.

Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.

Stage III Esophageal Cancer

Treatment of stage III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma may include the following:

• Chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery.
• Chemotherapy followed by surgery.
• Chemoradiation therapy alone.

Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.

Stage IV Esophageal Cancer

Treatment of stage IV esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma may include the following:

• Chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery.
• Chemotherapy.
• Laser surgery or electrocoagulation as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• An esophageal stent as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• External or internal radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Clinical trials of chemotherapy.
• A clinical trial of targeted therapy combined with chemotherapy.

Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.