Checking for oesophageal cancer usually involves a number of tests. The main tests are endoscopy and biopsy, which are often done at the same time.
Waiting for the test results can be a stressful time. It may help to talk to a friend or family member, or a health professional. You can also call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Learn more about:
Endoscopy and biopsy
An endoscopy (also called a gastroscopy or upper endoscopy) lets your doctor look inside your
oesophagus and stomach. It is usually done as day surgery.
Having an endoscopy
Before the test, you will probably need to fast (not eat or drink) for about 6 hours. You could be offered a light sedation to make the procedure more comfortable.
A general anaesthetic is only needed in a small number of cases. Once the sedative takes effect, a long, flexible tube with a light and small camera on the end (endoscope) is passed into your mouth, down your throat and oesophagus, and into your stomach and small bowel.
Taking a biopsy
If the doctor sees anything unusual during the endoscopy, they may take a small sample of tissue
(biopsy). A specialist, called a pathologist, will check the tissue sample under a microscope to look for cancer.
The endoscopy takes about 10 minutes. You may feel sleepy afterwards, so someone will need to take you home. You may also have a sore throat or feel bloated for a short time.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
An EUS is often done at the same time as a standard endoscopy. Sometimes it is done shortly after if more information is needed or to help with staging (see opposite). The doctor uses an endoscope with an ultrasound probe on the tip or with a built-in ultrasound device. The probe releases soundwaves that echo when they bounce off anything solid, such as an organ or tumour.
If you have cancer, this test can help to show whether the cancer has spread into the oesophageal or stomach wall, nearby tissues or lymph nodes. During the EUS, your doctor may use the ultrasound to guide a needle into the area they want to look at and take tissue samples.
→ READ MORE: Further tests for oesophageal cancer
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
Prof David Watson, Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor of Surgery, Flinders University, and Senior Consultant Surgeon, Oesophago-Gastric Surgery Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Prof Bryan Burmeister, Senior Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay Hospital, QLD; Dr Natalie Collier, Radiation Oncologist, Wollongong Hospital, NSW; A/Prof Melissa Eastgate, A/Executive Director, Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Natalie Lalor, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Chris Menzies, Upper GI Cancer Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre and Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA; Tammy Milne, Consumer; Stefanie Simnadis, Clinical Dietitian, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA; Prof Rajvinder Singh, Professor of Medicine, University of Adelaide, and Director, Gastroenterology Department and Head of Endoscopy, Lyell McEwin Hospital, SA.
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