What are the different stages of cancer of the esophagus?

Grade 1 (G1: well differentiated; low grade) means the cancer cells look more like normal esophagus cells. Grade 3 (G3: poorly differentiated, undifferentiated; high grade) means the cancer cells look very abnormal. Grades 2 (G2: moderately differentiated; intermediate) falls somewhere in between Grade 1 and Grade 3.

What does Stage 2b esophageal cancer mean?

Overview. Patients with stage II esophageal cancer have cancer that invades into or through the muscular wall of the esophagus, but not into nearby local structures (IIA). When there is regional lymph node involvement with any extent of primary cancer but no invasion of local structures, this is called stage IIB.

What does T3 mean in esophageal cancer?

T2 means the cancer has grown into the muscle layer of the wall of the oesophagus. T3 means the tumour has grown into the membrane covering the outside of the oesophagus (adventitia). T4 means the tumour has grown into other organs or body structures next to the food pipe.

Is esophageal cancer curable at Stage 3?

The treatment of patients with stage II – III or locally advanced esophageal cancer may consist of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination. The goal of treatment is cure and this currently requires surgical removal of the cancer.

What are the risks of eus for staging esophageal cancer?

Background: The gold standard for staging the local extension (T stage) and lymph node (LN) status (N stage) of esophageal cancer is endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). When biopsy of the peritumoral LNs is performed using EUS, there is a risk of specimen contamination secondary to piercing the primary tumor; this shortcoming can be circumvented with endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS).

What is esophageal carcinoma staging?

Esophageal cancer staging is defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System that establishes tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) sub-classifications based on the depth of invasion of the primary tumor (T), lymph node involvement (N), and extent of metastatic disease (M).

Are there stages of advanced esophageal cancer?

The stages of esophageal cancer are given a number ( I through IV ); the higher the number, the more advanced the cancer. The stages are: Stage 0 . Abnormal cells (not yet cancer) are found only in the layer of cells that line the esophagus. Stage I . Cancer cells are found only in the layer of cells that line the esophagus. Stage II .

How is esophageal cancer diagnosed?

Esophageal cancer is usually diagnosed by endoscopy and biopsy. A gastroenterologist uses a thin tube which has a camera and light on the end. This tube is placed through the mouth and allows examination of the esophagus and the area where the esophagus and stomach connect.