Esophageal Cancer Testing and Diagnosis

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It is typically easier to treat esophageal cancer the earlier it is detected and diagnosed. Once cancer spreads (metastasizes) outside of the esophagus, it is much harder to treat. That’s why it’s important to bring up any concerning symptoms to your primary care provider.

Together, Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW Medicine offer a full range of options to find and treat esophageal cancer at its earliest stage.

Esophageal Cancer Care Tailored to You

You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.

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Screening Tests for Esophageal Cancer

There is no regular or routine screening test for esophageal cancer for people of average risk, but those with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), some inherited syndromes or Barrett’s esophagus may receive screenings via endoscopy. For most people, having trouble swallowing, pain with swallowing or frequent choking on food are the first signs.

Diagnostic Tests for Esophageal Cancer

After a thorough physical exam, these methods help diagnose esophageal cancer and determine if the cancer has spread.

  • Flexible endoscopy — a thin, flexible tube is inserted into your mouth or nose and down into your esophagus, where a light and tiny camera take close-up images.
  • Biopsy — during your endoscopy, a tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken. A pathologist will check the cells for cancer using a microscope.
  • Blood tests — a complete blood count checks the level of each type of blood cell in your bloodstream. Low red blood cells (anemia) may be a sign of internal bleeding, which sometimes happens with esophageal cancer.
  • Imaging studies — if your physician finds cancer or believes you may have cancer, imaging tests like a computed tomography (CT) scan or positron emission tomography (PET) scan can tell whether the cancer has spread beyond your esophagus.
Dr. Veena Shankaran with black curly hair and a red suit jacket
Dr. Veena Shankaran is a medical oncologist who treats patients with gastrointestinal cancer and co-leads the Esophageal Cancer Specialty Clinic.

Fred Hutch Expertise in Esophageal Cancer Diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, we recommend getting a second opinion before choosing where you will be treated.  Fred Hutch has the region’s only Esophageal Cancer Specialty Clinic. At this clinic, our medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and supportive care professionals come together weekly to discuss and care for people with esophageal cancer as a team. During a single visit you get the second opinion of not one physician but an entire group of specialists. Based on your unique situation, we might schedule you with a single specialist who is best qualified to provide an opinion about your options — for example, if you have metastatic esophageal cancer.

Esophageal Cancer Testing and Diagnosis FAQ

At Fred Hutch, many people with esophageal cancer see providers at our Esophageal Cancer Specialty Clinic. At this clinic, all the specialists who will be part of your care come together. In a meeting called a tumor board, they discuss treatment options and design treatment to meet your needs.

Fred Hutch researchers are always looking for better ways to treat esophageal cancer. We are doing clinical trials of new drugs and drug combinations to treat different types of bladder tumors. Our scientists are also developing new methods to tell which tumors are likely to respond best to which treatments.

Learn more about esophageal cancer research.