Clarification about tests and possible esophagus carcinoma diagnosis

Dear Dr., Greetings! My father has undergone CT chest and the report reveals: 1. multiple discrete homogenous enlarged pretracheal & paratracheal lymphnodes are seen. largest measuring 24x12mm 2. there is short segment asymmetric mural thickening involving the mid esophagus over a segment of 2.8cm. maximum mural thickness measures 11mm. fat planes with surrounding structures is preserved. 3. rest all organs ans systems are fine. but the radiologist says that the impression of carcinoma esophagus. Earlier to this, his barium x-ray revealed irregular filling defect and endoscopy revealed mild ulceration, but not from inside the esophagus. So the doctors did not go for biopsy at that time. Symptoms: he doesn’t have any other symptoms except that when he eats,he feels the food passes through esophagus while touching its lining. No pain. No appetite or weight loss. Request you to please clarify, 1. Does this indicate esophageal carcinoma? 2. If yes, what possible stage we can predict before confirmatory tests? 3. Is there a possibility of Benign tumor? 4. Can this be only because of infection (possibly bacterial infection)? 5. What can be the possible confirmation tests apart from biopsy? 6. Any possibility of complete removal and no reoccurrence? plz suggest your opinion and further course of action. sincere regards,