Preparing for an appointment

If your family doctor suspects you have esophageal cancer, you may be referred to a number of doctors who will help evaluate your condition. Your health care team may include doctors who:

• Evaluate the esophagus (gastroenterologists)
• Treat cancer with chemotherapy and other medications (oncologists)
• Perform surgery (surgeons)
• Use radiation to treat cancer (radiation oncologists)

To get the most from your appointment, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and to know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
• Consider taking a family member or friend along. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For esophageal cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• Where is my esophageal cancer?
• How advanced is my cancer?
• Can you explain the pathology report to me?
• What other tests do I need?
• What are my treatment options?
• What are the potential side effects of each treatment option?
• Is there one treatment option you feel is the best?
• What would you recommend to a friend or family member in my situation?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
• What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions that occur to you during your appointment.

A full range of treatment options to consider

Mayo Clinic doctors will work with you to review all of your treatment options and choose the treatment that best suits your needs and goals.

The range of treatments offered to people with esophageal cancer includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, proton beam therapy, and minimally invasive and traditional operations, such as esophagectomy.