Treating Esophageal Cancer at the FHCI

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Though esophageal cancer is a very serious disease, you'll be in really good hands at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute (FHCI). Our Esophageal Cancer Clinic is one of the finest care centers in the world. Not only do we offer the most current treatments for cancers of the esophagus, but we are heavily involved in groundbreaking therapies that are continually being released by leading research institutions across the globe.

Seeking esophageal cancer treatment? Contact us now to schedule an appointment with Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

Surgery

For esophageal cancer surgery is the most common treatment used. During an esophagectomy, one of our highly skilled surgeons will remove part of the esophagus affected by the cancer, whether it's the lower or upper regions. The healthy part of the esophagus is then reattached to the stomach so the patient can still swallow. If necessary, a plastic tube or a portion of the intestine is inserted to complete the connection. During the procedure, lymph nodes near the esophagus may also be removed to see if they contain cancerous cells. If the esophagus is partially blocked by the tumor, an expandable metal tube called a stent may be inserted into the esophagus to keep it open.  Seeking esophageal cancer treatment?

Contact us now to schedule an appointment with Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

Radiation Therapy

While esophageal cancer is not exclusively treated with radiation therapy, it is still an important part of the mix of available treatments. Effective strategies often call for a range of solutions that will be discussed collaboratively by FHCI's team of radiation oncologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists and nutritionists.

Since cancer cells may still be present following surgery or chemotherapy, radiation therapy is used to kill them in order to prevent a relapse. The use of high energy x-rays allows radiation oncologists to focus their efforts on highly specific areas surrounding the esophagus or nearby lymph nodes, which can spread cancer to other parts of the body.

These technologies include:

• Trilogy: State-of-the-art in scope, Trilogy brings a suite of treatments into a single machine. Operated by a highly trained oncologist, the tumor is pinpointed precisely, even factoring its movement as you breathe normally. Trilogy can also be used to robotically position your tumor so the oncologist can tell if it has moved between radiation therapy sessions.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): The advent of IGRT allows oncologists to locate and visualize the tumor precisely before a dose is administered. The information is gathered from radiographic, fluoroscopic and cone beam CT images so the radiation oncologist can continuously update treatment. This ensures that the tumor receives the most effective and accurate dosages while preventing collateral damage to surrounding health tissues.
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy: Advanced positioning technologies allow lesions to be precisely aligned so that high doses of radiation can be targeted accurately. Thanks to this advance, these doses can administered in one to five sessions rather than many sessions using smaller doses.
• External Beam Radiation Therapy: An external source is utilized to focus high doses of radiation on a very small area affected by cancer, allowing the beam to kill the cancerous cells without unduly harming the non-cancerous tissue around it.
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): IMRT is a highly accurate tool that allows radiation oncologists to offer patients superior dose distributions to the cancerous area while remaining extremely comfortable. IMRT has fewer side effects than traditional radiation therapy, yet it allows tumors near critical structures to be treated accurately and effectively.
• Three-dimensional Simulation and Treatment Planning: 3D imaging is used to visualize the area to be treated virtually. The experts at FHCI then use this visualization to map the critical structures so an optimal treatment plan can be designed for the individual.
• Multi-modality Image Fusion: In order to plan therapies accurately, anatomical data is incorporated from different imaging methods (CT, MRI, PET, etc.) to provide computerized planning for effective treatments at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

Seeking esophageal cancer treatment? Contact us now to schedule an appointment with Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

Chemotherapy

At the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute's Esophageal Cancer Clinic, we embrace new approaches to esophageal cancer therapies that help reduce side effects while improving patient outcomes.

Chemotherapy treats cancer of the esophagus by using drugs to destroy cancer cells, impeding their growth and ability to reproduce as a result. Sometimes known as "anticancer drugs", chemotherapy is administered orally, intravenously or by injection.

The method used to administer the drugs and the type of chemotherapy deployed depends on the type and stage of the cancer that needs to be treated. In some cases, chemotherapy is used in coordination with the application of other treatments. In others, chemotherapy is utilized as a follow-up to kill any cancer cells that may remain, either after surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Our oncologists work with other members of the FHCI team to integrate chemotherapy strategies into your overall treatment program. This will provide you with an individual roadmap that best suits your situation and which promises the best possible outcome. Throughout your care, you will be kept in the loop regarding treatment options and your progress. It is our goal to treat you as a partner in your own care.

Seeking esophageal cancer treatment? Contact us now to schedule an appointment with Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)

One of the newest treatments for early stages of esophageal cancer is endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). It's particularly suitable for patients who cannot have surgery. After performing an exam of the region and identifying lesions or tumors that can be removed using this procedure, a highly trained gastroenterologist uses specialized endoscopic tools that lift and cut abnormal lesions or tumors from the superficial lining of the esophagus. EMR is well suited to removing pre-cancerous lesions endoscopically, including cases of Barrett's esophagus.

Seeking esophageal cancer treatment? Contact us now to schedule an appointment with Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

Promising New Treatments Through Clinical Trials

As a leading research facility in the country, the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute has access to promising new therapies and treatments as they emerge from the world's premier labs. Esophageal cancer clinical trials are being conducted continually at the institute so you'll want to discuss your options with your doctors.

These new treatments and advanced technologies offer you the following benefits:

• Being among the first to possibly benefit from new medical advances coming out of some of the best research labs in the world.
• Access to state-of-the-art treatment.
• Dedicated attention from a research nurse who will be by your side throughout your treatment, follow-ups and care associated with your clinical trial.
• Making a contribution to research efforts to find more effective ways of detecting, diagnosing and treating cancer.

FHCI works closely with such leading organizations at the National Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, the UCLA Community Oncology Research Network and well-known pharmaceutical companies to conduct the groundbreaking clinical trials.

Current Esophageal Cancer Clinical Trails at Florida Hospital Cancer Institute