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Treatment of childhood esophageal cancer
Source: Childhood Esophageal Cancer, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: February 12, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Treatment of childhood esophageal cancer
There are different types of treatment for children and adolescents with esophageal cancer. To decide on a treatment plan for your child, you and their care team will think about many factors, such as your child's overall health and whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has come back.
Your child's treatment plan will include information about the cancer, the goals of treatment, treatment options, and the possible side effects. It will be helpful to talk with your child's care team about what to expect before treatment begins. For help every step of the way, see our booklet, Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents.
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Treatment of esophageal cancer in children might include:
Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Internal radiation therapy is used to treat esophageal cancer. For this treatment, a plastic or metal tube is passed through your child's mouth into the esophagus. A machine that is outside the body has a special tool that is placed in the tube to send radiation toward the cancer. To learn more, visit Radiation Therapy to Treat Cancer.
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Chemotherapy (also called chemo), which uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy either kills the cancer cells or stops them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given in different ways. To learn more about how chemotherapy works, how it is given, common side effects, and more, visit Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer.
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Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
If your child's cancer comes back after treatment, their doctor will talk with you about what to expect and possible next steps. There might be treatment options that may shrink the cancer or control its growth. If there are no treatments, your child can receive care to control symptoms from cancer so they can be as comfortable as possible.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice