From Marc R. Mosbacher, MD, a radiation oncologist at OHC
April 1, 2019
If you’ve received a diagnosis of esophageal cancer, you want treatment from cancer experts who treat you like a person and not a diagnosis. OHC understands the complications associated with this disease and treatment can be extremely challenging. That’s why we not only attack your cancer, but we also offer support to help with the nausea, weight loss, pain and difficulty eating. Our priority is to provide you with the most advanced treatments, helping to support you during your therapy and helping you get back to the things you enjoy doing.
The American Cancer Society’s estimates 17,650 new esophageal cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2019 in the United States (13,750 in men and 3,900 in women). There are different treatment options for patients with esophageal cancer, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy, which are available from the cancer specialists at OHC.
In addition to offering these leading-edge treatments, OHC is at the forefront, evaluating the drug Ramucirumab in a clinical trial in combination with Nab-Paclitaxel for patients with metastatic (cancer that has spread) esophageal cancer that has progressed after a first round of chemotherapy. OHC hopes this Phase 2 trial finds this combination to be less toxic and better absorbed by the tumor, with an end result of improved efficacy and few side effects. (Learn more about this clinical trial here.)
For patients who do experience the challenging symptoms and side effects, OHC offers options to help reduce their intensity, especially pain and nausea. The care team focuses on more than just treatment of the disease, so cancer doesn’t take control over their lives.
“Head and neck cancers, like esophageal cancer, are very painful, especially when it comes to eating and drinking,” said Laura A. Weldishofer, DPN, APRN, an Advanced Practice Provider at OHC who specializes in the care of patients with head and neck cancers. “It can affect their ability to eat and drink, which can lead to weigh loss, fatigue and malnourishment. That’s why we provide medications for pain and teach them how and what to eat to keep them as comfortable as possible during treatment. It’s like a dose of relief and control.”
Register today: FREE Oral Head and Neck Cancer Screenings
Prevention is always the best approach to cancer. To reduce your risk for developing esophageal cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends avoiding tobacco and alcohol, getting treatment for acid reflux, and watching your diet and body weight.
OHC also recommends routine screenings to find esophageal cancer as early as possible, while it’s small and contained. To learn more about how OHC is fighting esophageal cancer or for a second opinion, visit this page or call 1-800-710-4674.
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