What is the prognosis for esophageal cancer?

Relatively poor: Although prognosis depends on certain factors, including the stage of the cancer, the overall 5-year survival rate for esophageal cancer is about 15%.

Depends..: On what stage it's found at. Earlier stages that don't show any spread of the cancer can be cured with surgery. Once the cancer has spread, the prognosis worsens. When it has spread to other organs, the chance for cure becomes very low with chemoradiation alone. 5 year survival rates for those without spread is about 37%. If it has spread to the lymph nodes, 18%. To other organ, 3%.

Staging & treatment: There are statistical based survival estimates by stage. Each patient is an individual. It is most critical to speak with your thoracic surgical oncology team. They will develop multi-disciplan approach and treatment plan and have a more personalized/individualized determination of reasonable prognosis. http://goo.gl/6phtu.