Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer Treatment by Dr. (Prof.) Arvind Kumar

Esophagus / Oesophagus can be involved by cancer or other tumors. With increasing incidence of acidity problems (Barretts esophagus), the incidence of cancer of esophagus is increasing. Esophageal/oesophageal cancer usually presents with difficulty in swallowing, initially to solids and then liquids also. Gradually, Esophageal/oesophageal cancer increases to total blockage of swallowing. Sometimes, there can be voice change or bouts of coughing on swallowing due to complications.

Diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer

• The diagnosis for Esophageal/oesophageal cancer is confirmed by Barium Swallow
• CT Scan of the chest and Endoscopy.

Treatment of Esophageal Cancer & Surgery

Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

The treatment for Esophageal/oesophageal cancer consists of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, used in combination (multi-modal treatment).

For early tumors, complete surgical removal can even provide cure. Conventionally, removal of esophagus (esophagectomy) has been done through the chest (major opening of chest). We have developed the expertise to perform even better cancer operation by VATS (Key-hole) or Robotic method, which has been offered to our patients for many years with improved outcome. This approach to surgery for removal of esophagus is called Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE).

Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy surgery involves the removal of the entire esophagus and then creation of new food pipe utilising the stomach and fashioning a tube out of it. The tube is then taken across the chest and joined to the upper esophagus in neck. This operation was done conventionally by open surgery which required large incisions on the chest and abdomen. When done through minimally invasive approach the patients have a shorter stay in the hospital with quicker recovery and much less pain as compared to open procedure.

Our Experience in Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

Dr. Arvind Kumar and his team have taken the minimally invasive esophagectomy to the next level by offering world class esophagectomy using the da Vinci Si Robotic Surgical System. Robot assisted surgery helps the surgeon in being more precise leading to a more accurate surgery with lesser blood loss. This translates in to patients benefits in terms of lesser pain, faster recovery and better cosmetic results with improved quality of life.

Of all operations in which the association between surgical volume and outcomes (surgical results) has been studied, esophagectomy (removal of all or part of the esophagus) is the operation for which the data is clearest that the procedures should be performed at high volume medical centers with the greatest expertise and skills, such as at Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery and Lung Transplantation at Medanta Hospital.

More About Esophageal Cancer

• Introduction
• Reasons and Diagnostic Tests

Videos

Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer Treatment