If you have any symptoms related to oesophageal cancer, you should contact your GP for an appointment. If your GP has any concerns then they will refer you to the hospital to be seen by one of our specialist consultants.
You will undergo tests so we can determine your diagnosis (please visit ‘Tests and investigations which may take place’ for more information on what these tests may involve).
Some tests will be carried out in Salisbury Hospital and some will be in our nearest Cancer Centre and the results will be discussed at the next Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting
Once your test results have come back, then they will be discussed at an MDT meeting. This is when a group of medical specialists meet to discuss X-rays, scans, biopsy and blood results and together decide what the best treatment to recommend for each patient is.
Treatments and/or operations will be suggested according to the type of cancer, where the cancer is and the needs of the patient.
After the MDT meeting, your diagnosis and their recommended treatment plan will be discussed with you and fully explained. Please also feel free to ask any questions you may have. This will help you to decide and plan on exactly what type of treatment you would like to have.
If you are comfortable to, we recommend you bring a family member, friend or carer with you to appointments for support as there can be a lot of information to process.
Once treatment has been discussed and agreed to, every patient being treated for cancer will have an individual treatment plan.
There are various treatment options available, please visit ‘Treatment options’ for more information.
After your treatment has finished, you will be put on a follow up programme so we can monitor your progress. Please visit ‘Ongoing care’ for more information.