Esophageal Cancer: Latest Research

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 09/2022

ON THIS PAGE: You will read about the scientific research being done to learn more about this type of cancer and how to treat it. Use the menu to see other pages.

Doctors are working to learn more about esophageal cancer, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your doctor about the best diagnostic and treatment options for you.

  • Chemoprevention. Researchers are looking at using aspirin and acid-reducing medication to prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma in people with Barrett’s esophagus. Research is still ongoing, and people are encouraged to talk with their doctor before taking any medications or dietary supplements for this reason. Learn about the basics of chemoprevention.

  • Use of PET scan. In addition to helping find out the cancer’s stage (see Diagnosis), PET scans may be used to find out how well treatment is working to shrink a tumor before surgery. Researchers are studying the use of PET scan to evaluate and possibly change treatment before surgery.

  • Chemotherapy advances. Doctors are studying combinations of different drugs, such as capecitabine (Xeloda), cisplatin (available as a generic drug), docetaxel (Docefrez, Taxotere), fluorouracil (5-FU, Efudex), irinotecan (Camptosar), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), paclitaxel, and trifluridine-tipiracil combination (Lonsurf). Research is ongoing to find new drugs that are effective for esophageal cancer.

  • Targeted therapy. Several types of targeted therapies are currently being studied for esophageal cancer. For example, researchers are looking at new drugs that block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Learn more about advances in molecular profiling of tumors to identify targets in GI cancers, including esophageal cancer.

  • Immunotherapy. New drugs and combinations that include immunotherapy continue to be studied.

  • Palliative care/supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current esophageal cancer treatments to improve comfort and quality of life for patients.

Looking for More About the Latest Research?

If you would like more information about the latest areas of research in esophageal cancer, explore these related items that take you outside of this guide:

The next section in this guide is Coping with Treatment. It offers some guidance on how to cope with the physical, emotional, social, and financial changes that cancer and its treatment can bring. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.