Prognosis

When the esophageal cancer has spread to organs beyond the esophagus, long-term survival is uncommon.

The chance of recovery improves when doctors detect the cancer at an early stage. But in most cases, long-term survival remains below 30%.

• Once cancer invades the muscle layer of the esophagus, most people already have developed widespread cancer.



• For these people, cancers invariably come back following surgical removal. Few people survive long term.
  
  
  • Following completion of therapy, whether with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these, the patient needs regular follow-up endoscopic examinations as well as repeat CT scans of the chest and abdomen.
  
  
  
  • Often, people who undergo surgery of their esophagus develop significant narrowing at the site of the surgery. They require frequent esophageal dilatations or insertion of stents.

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Esophageal Cancer - Symptoms and Signs

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