Though esophageal cancer represents a relatively small number of cancer diagnoses in Canada, it is one of the deadliest types of cancer due to its extremely aggressive nature and poor survival rate. This course will introduce you to esophageal cancer epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment, covering the foundational knowledge you need to provide nursing care to patients with esophageal cancer and their families. This online course will build on what you learned in Foundations of Oncology Nursing Practice or Cancer Care Basics. 

Course Objectives 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Describe the trends in esophageal carcinoma incidence over the last decades.  
• Explain the relationship of Barrett's esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to esophageal cancer development.  
• Compare and contrast the features and risk factors for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.  
• List factors that put a person at higher risk of developing esophageal cancer and the prognostic factors that put a person at higher risk of dying from esophageal cancer.  
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer and describe the general diagnostic pathway for esophageal cancer. 
• Describe the TNM staging system for esophageal cancer. 
• Explain the types of surgery and endoscopic procedures used to treat each stage of esophageal cancer. 
• Explain the use of chemotherapy, targeted therapies and radiation therapy for each cancer stage, and describe palliative procedures used to treat symptoms in stage IV esophageal cancer.

Course Syllabus

This course consists of two self-directed eLearning modules and a final quiz.

The final quiz consists of a case study where you will apply your knowledge to the care of a particular patient living with esophageal cancer. The quiz is open-book and a passing grade is 75%.

Although you can complete the various components of the course at your own pace, the course must be completed within 6 weeks from the time you register for the course. 

Download the full Course Syllabus.

Eligibility

Available to all regulated health care professionals working along the cancer care continuum.

Payment must be received before you have access to the course. For more information, please visit our Cancellation & No Show Policy.

Participants can pay for this course online with a credit card, or send a cheque to: