Diagnosis

Endoscopy

Often the first test you will have will be an endoscopy.  This is a test that looks at the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small bowel) using a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera at the end. This can identify any abnormal areas and enable them to remove small samples of tissue (biopsies). Endoscopies can also be used to give treatment.

If the biopsy results from your endoscopy show there are cancer cells, you will see a specialist doctor. This will be a surgeon who specialises in oesophageal and gastro-intestinal cancers. Your specialist doctor or nurse will arrange further tests. These are to find out:

• which layers of the oesophageal wall the cancer is in
• if it has spread outside the oesophagus

Find out more about our Endoscopy Unit.

 

CT scan

A CT scan takes a series of x-rays which build up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. The scan usually takes 5-10 minutes. You will need to lie still whilst the bed moves slowly back and forward through the donut-shaped scanner. Read more about CT scans.

 

PET scan

A PET scan uses low-dose radiation to check the activity of cells in different parts of the body. It can provide more detailed information about the cancer and any further spread. For the scan, a radiographer will inject a radioactive substance into a vein about an hour before the scan. The amount of radioactive substance used is very small. The scan usually takes about 30-60 minutes and works similarly to a CT scan. Discover more about PET scans.

 

EUS (endoscopic ultrasound)

This is like an endoscopy, but the end of the endoscope has an ultrasound probe on it. The probe uses sound waves to produce images of the wall of the oesophagus and surrounding structures, which provide further detail on the spread of the tumour.

 

Staging laparascopy

A laparoscopy is a small operation used to look at organs inside your tummy (abdomen). The surgeon uses a thin tube with a camera on the end, called a laparoscope. They may also take biopsies.

 

CPEX (Cardiopulmonary exercise test)

If you require a CPEX you will see one of the anaesthetists for this test. As part of this appointment, your fitness will be examined via a bicycle test. This will look at how your heart and lungs perform under stress and will provide the team with important information relating to your treatment pathway.