Barrett’s esophagus is considered a precancerous condition, however the vast majority of people with the condition do not develop cancer.
esophageal cancer
As a sports and news photojournalist for a Buffalo television station, J.T. Messinger is used to seeing the world through a camera lens.
“Roswell Park is at the forefront of research on gastroesophageal cancer, and these studies are aiming to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation in patients.”
“I was given a choice to see a doctor at another facility, but because of what I know about my wife’s work and the cutting- edge research and treatment at Roswell Park, of course I went to Roswell Park.”
If the patient’s cancer didn’t respond to chemotherapy and radiation, options were limited other than a wait-and-see approach. But new research has found that the introduction of an immunotherapy medication can dramatically improve their response.
“We have to be really careful about health and diet and exercise, and keeping lean. If glucose can drive cancer growth, then patients with esophageal cancer probably have to be careful about their diet, their glucose intake, and make sure they're speaking to their medical professionals to get advice.”
Christos Fountzilas, MD, Associate Professor of Oncology and board-certified gastrointestinal medical oncologist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, answers some of the most common questions about this rare and complex type of cancer.
For some people of East Asian descent, drinking an alcoholic beverage can trigger a red face, often called “Asian Flush,” “Asian Red,” or “Asian Glow.” But the facial flushing, which can extend to the arms and chest, isn’t just embarrassing—it’s also a sign of a genetic trait that can put heavy drinkers at increased risk of alcohol-related health problems, including esophageal cancer.
When diagnosing or treating cancer, a less-invasive procedure often leads to better outcomes and fewer risks.