Being told you have esophageal cancer can be scary. You may have many questions. Know that you have people on your health care team who can help.

It's normal to feel afraid. Learning about cancer and your treatment options can help you feel less scared. It also helps you work with your health care team and make the best choices for your treatment.

You'll likely have different types of providers on your health care team. These might include:

• Gastroenterologist. This doctor specializes in treating diseases of the digestive or gastrointestinal system.
• Thoracic surgeon. This doctor uses surgery to treat diseases in the chest. The medical word for chest is thorax.
• Medical oncologist. This doctor specializes in treating cancer with medicines like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
• Radiation oncologist. This doctor specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy.

Many other health care providers will be part of your team, too. These may include physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), oncology nurses, dietitians, social workers, and counselors. They will answer any questions you may have. They'll help you through each of the steps you'll take before, during, and after treatment. Your team will let you know what tests you need and the results of those tests. They'll guide you in making treatment decisions. They'll also help prepare you and your loved ones for what's ahead.

To decide the best course of treatment for you, your health care team needs to know as much as they can about you and the cancer. This means getting tests and scans. You may work with more than one doctor. You may also decide you want to get a second opinion. This can help you make treatment choices and feel good about the choices you make. Your team can help you get a second opinion.

Coping with cancer can be very stressful. Talk with your health care team about seeing a counselor. They can refer you to someone who can help. You can also join support groups to talk with other people coping with esophageal cancer. Ask your health care team about local or online support groups.