The diagnosis of cervical esophageal cancer can be difficult and overwhelming. Further testing will be necessary to confirm a diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment. Imaging, endoscopy, and biopsy are generally standard diagnostic approaches. Patients can expect their doctor to have a discussion with them about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to each of the following.
Imaging
Imaging scans, also known as radiologic studies, provide the doctor with an inside view of the body. Imaging of the head and neck will be required to determine the extent as well as the behavior of a growth, and is a vital step prior to treatment of any tumor in the cervical esophagus. The most common initial imaging tests used are CT and MRI scans. A more advanced imaging study called a PET/CT will likely also be performed to evaluate if a cervical esophageal cancer has spread to other sites in the body, as well as to determine if lymph nodes in the neck are likely to harbor cancer cells. Learn more about imaging.
Endoscopy
An endoscope is a device that allows doctors to examine inside the body. It is made up of a thin flexible or rigid tube with a camera and light attached on the end. The lenses inside the endoscope provide magnification, allowing doctors to detect even small changes in the lining of the throat. “Endoscopy” is simply the process of using an endoscope to visualize a particular part of the body. Flexible or rigid esophagoscopy are the two most common methods for examining the esophagus. Flexible endoscopy is usually performed by a gastroenterologist. Learn more about different kinds of endoscopies.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to examine under a microscope to see if it is cancerous. A biopsy of a suspicious growth in the cervical esophagus or throat is usually needed prior to treatment. This is usually performed at the same time as either flexible or rigid esophagoscopy, which are described above. In some cases, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of any suspicious lymph nodes in the neck may also be helpful. Learn more about biopsies.
