If you have symptoms, your doctor may conduct certain tests to identify abnormalities. These may include:
Other tests will help the doctor learn more about the cancer. They will look for tumors and affected tissue. Tests may include:
Completed tests and new tests will help determine the stage of cancer. Staging helps to find characteristics of the cancer that will help to make a treatment plan. Tumor spread, lymph nodes changes, spread to other tissue, and microscopic cellular details will all be tested.
The esophagus is made up of 4 layers, the innermost mucosa, the submucosa, a thicker muscle layer, and a thin layer of connective tissue called the adventitia. The location and depth of the tumor is important in staging. Esophageal cancer is staged from 0-IV.
Esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114816/Esophageal-and-esophagogastric-junction-cancer. Accessed January 3, 2020.
Esophageal cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/tumors-of-the-gi-tract/esophageal-cancer. Accessed January 3, 2020.
Esophagus cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003098-pdf.pdf. Accessed January 3, 2020.
General information about esophageal cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/esophageal/patient/esophageal-treatment-pdq#section/all. Accessed January 3, 2020.
Stages of esophageal cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/esophageal/patient/esophageal-treatment-pdq#section/_129. Accessed January 3, 2020.
Last reviewed January 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Nicole S. Meregian, PA