Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Procedures and Treatment
Esophageal cancer occurs in the tube connecting your throat to your stomach, known as the esophagus.
Contact our team to learn more about our esophageal procedures.
Who is at risk of esophageal cancer?
Esophageal cancer can form due to chronic irritation of the esophagus. Risk factors include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Barrett’s esophagus (precancerous changes in esophageal cells)
- Bile reflux
- Obesity
- Older age (most cases appear between the ages of 45 and 70)
- Male sex (men are 3-4 times more likely than women to develop this type of cancer)
- Alcohol consumption
- Achalasia (difficulty swallowing due to problems with the esophageal sphincter)
- A habit of drinking very hot liquids
- A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
- Exposure to radiation in the chest or upper abdomen
What are the symptoms of esophageal cancer?
Signs of esophageal cancer typically appear in the later stages. Symptoms include:
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Unintentional weight loss
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Worsening heartburn or indigestion
- Coughing
- Hoarse voice
How is esophageal cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor may use any of the following procedures and tests to diagnose and stage esophageal cancer.
- Barium swallow test. This involves swallowing a substance that includes barium, which coats the esophagus and allows for X-ray imaging.
- Endoscopy. Your doctor may insert a flexible tube with a camera down your throat to view the esophagus.
- Biopsy. Using an endoscope, your doctor can take a sample of tissue to examine for abnormalities.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Using an ultrasound device on the end of an endoscope, we can create visuals that help stage the cancer.
- Bronchoscopy. This technique can identify whether the esophageal cancer has spread to the airway or bronchi.
- Imaging tests. Using CT or PET, a specialist can determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
How is esophageal cancer treated?
Your physician will recommend treatment based on your cancer type, location, and stage. Our team offers the following therapies.
- Esophagectomy. This procedure involves the partial removal of the esophagus and upper portion of the stomach.
- Esophagogastrectomy. Like an esophagectomy, the surgeon removes a part of the esophagus in addition to a larger portion of the stomach.
- Robotic surgery. Our highly trained surgeons may use the da Vinci Xi Surgical System to enhance their precision and provide the least invasive surgical experience.
- Esophageal stent. If you experience an obstruction, your surgeon may place a metal stent in your esophagus to keep it open.
- Radiation therapy. Specialists can use a machine to send high-energy beams, such as those made from X-rays or protons, to destroy cancer cells. Your doctor may use external beam radiation or brachytherapy, in which a source of radiation is placed near the cancer.
- Chemotherapy. If your cancer is advanced, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy before or after surgery and possibly alongside radiation.
- Targeted drug therapy. This treatment targets proteins and genes in cancer cells that are responsible for their growth and survival.
- Immunotherapy. This drug treatment helps your immune system fight the cancer cells.
Schedule an appointment with the Surgeons Group of Baton Rouge to learn more about our procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esophageal Cancer Surgery
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How long is recovery from esophageal surgery?
Patients who have had an esophagectomy will have a hospital stay of about eight days. Once home, it can take eight or more weeks before they can return to more typical eating patterns and about 12 weeks before they can return to work.
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Is esophagectomy a major surgery?
An esophagectomy is a major surgery and requires significant recovery time. However, advancements in laparoscopic surgical techniques now allow for surgery with smaller incisions, often resulting in less blood loss and a shorter recovery time for the patient.
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Can you eat normally after esophagectomy?
While you recover after esophagectomy, you will be on a modified diet that includes three stages:
- Clear liquid diet
- Full liquid diet
- Soft diet
Since this surgical procedure involves stretching the stomach into more of a tube shape from its typical pouch shape, small, frequent meals are recommended. Additionally, patients will have a feeding tube for the first couple of weeks after their procedure to help replace the nutrients a clear liquid diet tends to lack.
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Can esophageal cancer come back after surgery?
Yes, it is possible for esophageal cancer to come back after surgery. In one study of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomies, 23% of participants experienced a recurrence of their esophageal cancer. Therefore, it’s important to continue following up with your physician regularly.
If you experience trouble swallowing or chest pain any time after surgery (even years later), let your doctor know. While these aren’t always signs of recurring cancer, finding and treating the cause of these symptoms in a timely manner can protect your health.