Esophageal Cancer Outcomes

In fact, the national esophageal cancer survival rate is downright dismal — but it doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, survival rates are improving every day thanks to new treatment options like immunotherapy. And averages tend to be misleading because esophageal cancer survival rates are highly individualized.

Outcomes will be different because each individual patient’s cancer and physiology are different. But as leaders in esophageal cancer treatment and research, Winship’s expert researchers and physicians are capable of developing and delivering the latest, most effective esophageal cancer treatments with the fewest side effects. As a result, we have better outcomes — including survival rates, recurrence rates and management of long-term side effects — than most other cancer centers in the United States.

Winship is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Georgia. Comprehensive Cancer Centers must meet rigorous standards that prove they have state-of-the-art facilities, offer cutting-edge treatments, deliver breakthrough research and conduct lifesaving clinical trials.

Because NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers like Winship represent the most innovative cancer centers in the nation, it’s no surprise they also have the best survival rates. They are, on average, 20% to 50% higher than non-NCI-designated cancer centers, depending on cancer type. Researchers attribute these higher survival rates to excellent multidisciplinary care, guideline compliance, access to clinical trials and team approaches to treatment planning, all of which are paramount at Winship.

Being an esophageal cancer survivor puts you at greater risk for developing a new esophageal cancer or another type of cancer in the future. That’s why Winship is dedicated to offering long-lasting treatment and post-treatment follow-up care and surveillance. We analyze your specific esophageal cancer and the genomic components driving it to help us determine which treatment is most likely not only to improve your esophageal cancer prognosis but also to prevent it from returning.

After successful treatment, we have quality measures in place to confirm you are cancer-free, such as testing the surrounding tissue after surgery to ensure there’s no remaining cancer. And once you’ve completed treatment at Winship, we will continue to monitor your condition and follow you for at least five years to ensure you remain cancer-free and assist with the management of any long-term side effects of treatment.

When it comes to esophageal cancer outcomes, it’s important to consider the side effects associated with esophageal cancer and treatment, namely difficulty eating and swallowing. Esophageal cancer management is highly complex given that the primary area of treatment is essential for nutrition. That’s why your esophageal cancer team will include dietitians and nutritionists to help you cope with the challenges you may encounter with eating, and to ensure that you receive proper nutrition throughout your treatment and beyond.

At Winship, you will receive the most powerful and precise treatments available with the least amount of adverse side effects. You’ll receive minimally invasive surgery whenever possible to minimize the risks and reduce recovery times associated with open procedures. We’ll take steps to reduce common side effects of esophageal cancer, such as difficulty swallowing and neuropathy (nerve damage). And we will work with you on symptom management as well as coping with the psychological and emotional aspects of esophageal cancer treatment — for as long as you need us. Winship has a number of supportive services available, including palliative care and rehabilitation, nutrition and psychiatric counseling, among others.