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Cancer of the Esophagus - Esophageal Cancer
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Diagnosis & Tests
How is the disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of esophageal cancer begins with a medical history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may order an endoscopy of the esophagus. If a tumor is seen, a biopsy is done.
If the tumor is found to be cancerous, a staging work-up is done. This includes a physical exam, blood tests, and CAT scans of the chest and abdomen. This will give an indication of the size of the tumor. It will also show any metastasis to the chest, lymph nodes, lungs, or liver.