Esophageal Cancer Specialist

Center for Advanced Surgery

Gastro-Esophageal and Endoscopic Surgeons located in Dallas, Plano, & Tyler, TX

Esophageal cancer takes several forms, but one that's rapidly increasing in the United States is adenocarcinoma. If you have esophageal adenocarcinoma, fellowship-trained gastroesophageal surgeons Marc Ward, MD, and Steven Leeds, MD, at the Center for Advanced Surgery can help. They have specialist skills in using endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic mucosal dissection (ESD), Barrx™ endoscopic radiofrequency ablation, and minimally invasive esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer. Call one of the Center for Advanced Surgery's offices in Dallas, Plano, or Tyler, Texas, today to schedule a consultation or book your appointment online.

Esophageal Cancer Q&A

What is esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor affecting your esophagus, the pipe down which the food and drink you consume travels to reach your stomach.

Several cancers can affect your esophagus, the most common being squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Smoking is the most likely cause of squamous cell carcinoma, while gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Rates of esophageal adenocarcinoma have risen significantly over the last 35 years across the United States. The most likely explanation for this is an increase in cases of GERD.

How does GERD lead to esophageal cancer?

When you have GERD, intestinal secretions like stomach acid and, in some cases, bile rise into your esophagus due to a fault in your lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Your stomach and intestines can cope with the harshness of these secretions, but your esophagus can’t.

Long-term irritation and inflammation of your esophagus can lead to a condition called Barrett's esophagus, in which intestinal cells try to replace the esophageal cells. This process can trigger the development of precancerous cell changes.

To diagnose esophageal cancer, your provider at the Center for Advanced Surgery performs a biopsy using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), or upper endoscopy.

How is esophageal cancer treated?

The treatment your provider at the Center for Advanced Surgery recommends depends on the severity of your condition.

At an early stage, when the tumor is only in the surface tissues of your esophagus, there are several nonsurgical endoscopic techniques that are effective in removing the cancerous tissue:

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)

EMR involves removing cancerous sections of your esophageal lining, or mucosa.

Endoscopic mucosal dissection (ESD)

ESD is the removal of your esophageal lining, or mucosa, in a single piece.

Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation

Using the Barrx system, your provider can burn off the areas of the esophageal lining that contain cancer.

If your condition reaches a stage where the cancer cells are spreading deeper into the esophageal tissues, you might require an esophagectomy to remove your esophagus.

The expert team at the Center for Advanced Surgery uses minimally invasive surgical techniques to perform an esophagectomy. This approach limits the need for incisions, reducing the length of your hospital stay and the need for downtime after surgery.

Find out more about esophageal cancer and the sophisticated treatment options available at the Center for Advanced Surgery by calling or booking online today.

"We see patients for Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Achalasia, and Hiatal Hernia. Call us to book your appointment today."

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