Various types of treatment are available for esophageal cancer treatment. Some treatments are standard treatment and some are tested in clinical trials. There are five types of standard treatment.

1. Surgery: This is the most common esophageal cancer treatment. Part of the esophagus is removed and the stomach is pulled up and joined to the remaining esophagus so that the patient can swallow in an operation which is called as esophagectomy. A plastic tube or part of the intestine is used to make the connection. Lymph nodes near the esophagus are also removed to be viewed under the microscope for any cancer if remaining. In esophagogastrectomy, a part of the esophagus, nearby lymph nodes and part of the upper stomach are removed. The remaining stomach is pulled up and reattached to the esophagus. Esophagogastrectomy is used in more advanced cancer.

2. Radiation therapy: High-energy X-rays or other types of radiation are used to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy. In external radiation therapy a machine is used from outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. In internal radiation therapy radioactive substances sealed in needles, wires, seeds or catheters are used. A plastic tube is inserted into the esophagus to keep it open during radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used also used to reduce pain and improve swallowing. Thin plastic tubes containing radioactive material are implanted near the cancer cells in the esophagus called as brachytherapy.

3. Chemotherapy: Drugs are used to either kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing in esophageal cancer treatment by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle. The drug enters the bloodstream and reaches cancer cells throughout the body. Regional chemotherapy is given by placing the drug directly into the spinal column, an organ or a body cavity like abdomen where the drug affects only in those particular areas. Chemotherapy helps in various ways like it shrinks the tumor before surgery, can be used with radiation therapy in combination when surgery is not possible or to relieve symptoms in advanced cases.

4. Laser therapy: A narrow beam of intense light is used for this type of esophageal cancer treatment to kill cancer cells.

5. Electrocoagulation: In this type of treatment electric current is used to kill cancer cells.

6. Immunotherapy: This therapy used for esophageal cancer treatment stimulates immune system to fight cancer.

Several other alternative treatment options for surgery are available for patients having early stage of cancer. They are:

1. Photodynamic therapy: In this esophageal cancer treatment certain drugs are given to make cancerous and pre-cancerous cells sensitive to light. Light is inserted into the esophagus by an endoscope, which is a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera on the end that sends images to a TV monitor. Tissues that touch the light are burnt off. This leads to the stimulation of an active form of oxygen that destroys the cancer cells while the healthy tissues are spared. This therapy is given to relieve pain and obstruction in the esophagus.

2. Multipolar Electrocautery: This treatment involves use of an electric wire that is inserted into the esophagus to burn away abnormal tissue.

Clinical trials: This is a study that is used to test new forms of therapy. New drugs, different approaches to surgery or radiation treatments and new methods are used. A patient might want to participate in clinical trails if having advanced stage of esophageal cancer.