Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) may be used to treat the early stages of esophageal cancer. Chemicals that are sensitive to certain wavelengths of light are injected into the bloodstream and are taken up by the body’s cells. Abnormal cells take up more then normal cells. After a period of sensitization, a light source is focused upon the area containing the abnormal cells. The light causes the chemical to react inside of these cells, killing them.
There are other less common treatment approaches available, as well as many new therapies and many new clinical trials now being tested. It is not possible to list all of the ways that esophageal cancer may be treated. Esophageal cancer patients should have thorough discussions of treatment possibilities with their physicians to learn their options for treatment, given their stage of esophageal cancer and whether or not metastatic tumors are present.
Source: The Web site of the National Cancer Institute
