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Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill fast-growing cells (like cancer cells) or to keep them from dividing (which is how cancers grow). It is a systemic treatment. This means the medicines will travel throughout your body and destroy cancer cells wherever they may be.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles. You’ll get a dose and then have a rest period, usually two to three weeks, before the next treatment.
Your medical oncologist prescribes your chemotherapy and other medicine-based treatments, like targeted therapies. They also set your treatment schedule.
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.
How Chemotherapy is Used to Treat Esophageal Cancer
Your care team at Fred Hutch Cancer Center may recommend chemotherapy:
- Before surgery to shrink your tumor
- After surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells
- As your main treatment to help control cancer if you don’t have surgery
For esophageal cancer, chemotherapy may be used on its own, or alongside radiation in what’s called chemoradiation. Most often, a combination of multiple chemotherapy drugs is used. Your specific treatment plan is based on your esophageal cancer type, the stage of disease and risk of side effects.
Your medical oncologist talks with you about the goals and the pros and cons of systemic therapy, prescribes it and sets your treatment schedule, based on the details of your cancer and your individual needs and wishes.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Chemotherapy for Esophageal Cancer
At Fred Hutch, patients get medical oncology care from leading physicians who specialize in esophageal cancer. They are experts in their field and in giving medicines for esophageal cancer. We often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs for esophageal cancer. We are able to offer therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your Fred Hutch medical oncologist partners with the rest of your care team. They work closely if you have a surgical oncologist and pathologist. They design a treatment plan for you to target your tumor and have the least impact on healthy tissue. Your medical oncologist also works closely with you to manage any chemotherapy side effects. Your whole care team helps you take the best possible care of yourself during treatment.
Common chemotherapy drugs for esophageal cancer include:
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Capecitabine
- Oxaliplatin
- Cisplatin or carboplatin
- Docetaxel or paclitaxel
- Irinotecan
- Trifluridine–tipiracil
Usually, people with esophageal cancer get more than one chemotherapy drug at the same time. Your Fred Hutch team will talk with you about the specific drug combinations we recommend for you, how you’ll receive them and your treatment schedule.
Common chemotherapy side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Skin reactions
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Increased risk of infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Change in sensation in the fingers and toes (neuropathy)
If your Fred Hutch team recommends chemotherapy, we’ll explain what to expect based on the medicine you’re getting and how to manage these side effects.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience. The Fred Hutch Patient Education team has video resources that go over how to keep common side effects at bay.
Often, there are medicines to help, like anti-nausea drugs. Based on the side effect, there may be a range of other helpful options too, like diet changes, physical therapy and emotional and practical support. We also offer integrative medicine, including acupuncture.