Esophageal cancer care close to home
A coordinated evaluation helps patients move from diagnosis to the right multidisciplinary plan.
Merrimack Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery provides experienced, surgeon-led assessment and helps connect gastroenterology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, and nutrition across the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire.
Request a surgical evaluationWhat is esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer begins in the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. The two main cell types are adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma. The cell type, location, stage, biomarkers, and a patient's overall health all influence the care plan.
Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food sticks, painful swallowing, unexplained weight loss, persistent chest discomfort, or anemia. These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but they should be evaluated.
Where can it occur?
| Location | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Upper third | The portion closest to the throat. Tumors here may require coordination with head-and-neck and radiation-oncology specialists, particularly when a tumor is in or extends into the cervical esophagus. |
| Middle third | The central chest portion. The relationship to the airway and nearby lymph nodes is important during staging. |
| Lower third and GE junction | The portion closest to the stomach, including the gastroesophageal junction. Adenocarcinoma is common in this region. |
Location is one part of the picture. The tumor's depth, lymph nodes, distant spread, and histology are equally important.
Confirming the diagnosis and stage
Diagnosis usually begins with upper endoscopy and biopsy. Once cancer is confirmed, evaluation commonly includes CT of the chest and abdomen, PET/CT, and endoscopic ultrasound. Suspicious lymph nodes may be sampled when the result would change treatment. Additional tests are selected according to the tumor's location and imaging findings.
Our office reviews the actual images, endoscopy and pathology reports, identifies gaps, and helps patients understand where surgery may—or may not—fit.
Why coordinated care matters
Esophageal cancer rarely belongs to one specialist. Some patients receive chemotherapy, radiation, or both before an operation; others follow a different sequence. Nutrition and recovery planning begin before treatment, not after it.
We work closely with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to create a patient-specific sequence and help coordinate care with the specialists and hospitals available across the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. The aim is efficient communication and a clear next step—not a one-size-fits-all plan.
Direct access to your surgeon
How our practice can help
We review completed testing, arrange missing surgical evaluation, communicate with the oncology team, and remain involved through treatment planning, surgery when appropriate, and postoperative recovery.
Sources and further reading
Sources reviewed September 12, 2026. This page is a brief overview, not a clinical guideline or individualized recommendation.