How are stages of esophageal cancer treated?

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How are stages of esophageal cancer treated?

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Treatment options for esophageal cancer by stage involve the following:

Stage 0. Usually surgery
Stage I, II, and III. Surgery, clinical trials of chemotherapy and radiation, or clinical trials of new therapies
Stage IV. Chemotherapy, radiation, laser, or clinical trials. Treatment for this stage focuses on "palliative" therapy. Palliative therapy is meant to relieve the pain and difficulty swallowing caused by cancer, and is often given to patients who are in an advanced stage of cancer, or who are near the end of their lives.

According to the American Cancer Society, the percentages of people who live for at least five years after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer (taking into account that some people with esophageal cancer will have other causes of death) is 37% for localized cancer to the esophagus, 19% for cancer that has spread regionally, and 3% with distant cancer spread.

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