Surgery is a common treatment option if the tumor has not spread far. The goal is to remove as much of the cancer as possible and spare healthy tissue. Surgery may also be combined with other treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery is not always an option since the tumor may have spread too far by the time it is found. However, surgery may still be done to relieve symptoms or blockage.
Esophageal surgeries are long and difficult. They often have complications after the surgery. It is important to seek out an experienced surgeon and hospital for these procedures.
High grade dysplasia is a precancer change in cells. Surgery for dysplasia and early stage cancer offer the best chance for a cure. Options include:
Small, noninvasive cancer can be removed during an endoscopy. A tube with a camera is passed through the mouth and throat. It can also be passed through small incisions in chest and/or belly if the surgeon needs to get to the tumor from a different angle. The tumor and a ring of healthy tissue is removed. This will make sure that all the cancer is gone. The edges may be tested for cancer cells.
Photosensitizers, or light-sensitive molecules, are injected into the blood. These molecules are absorbed by cells throughout the body, but tend to stay longest in cancer cells. A special red light causes damage and death to cancer cells with these molecules. The light will be directed to the tumor with an endoscope.
An esophagectomy is the removal of part or all of the esophagus. The amount of tissue removed depends on the location and size of the tumor. In some cases, the stomach is stretched up into the chest and neck. It is attached to the remaining part of the esophagus. If large amounts of tissue are removed, a connection between the mouth and stomach may be made. A plastic tube or part of the intestine may be used.
Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed and tested for the presence of cancer. Cancer in the lymph nodes means the cancer may have spread to other areas of the body.
Esophagectomies can be done as:
A feeding tube can deliver nutrition straight to intestines or stomach. An opening can be made in the belly wall. A tube will connect the stomach or intestine to the opening. This is done when swallowing becomes difficult.
Surgery can not treat later stage cancer. However, it may relieve problems caused by the cancer. All of these procedures are done during an endoscopy.
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Last reviewed December 2018 by Mohei Abouzied, MD