An operation to remove the esophagus is called an esophagectomy. The surgeon connects the remaining healthy part of the esophagus to the stomach so the patient is still able to swallow. Sometimes, a plastic tube or part of the intestine is used to make the connection. The surgeon may also widen the opening between the stomach and the small intestine to allow stomach contents to pass more easily into the small intestine. Sometimes surgery is done after other treatment is finished.
Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy affect cells in the treated area only. The radiation may come from a machine outside the body or from radioactive materials placed in or near the tumor into the esophagus to keep it open during the radiation therapy. This procedure is call intraluminal intubation and dilation. Radiation therapy may be used alone or combined with chemotherapy as primary treatment instead of surgery, especially if the size or location of the tumor would make and operation difficult. Doctors may also combine radiation therapy with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery.