Esophageal Cancer
The treatment of esophageal cancer can be complicated and may require a team approach. At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, the members of your healthcare team work together to ensure that you receive the latest comprehensive care in a compassionate and comfortable setting. We specialize in the treatment of esophageal cancer using interventional endoscopy, minimally invasive surgery, chemotherapy, and highly precise radiation therapy. Our ultimate goal: to cure your cancer and maintain your quality of life.
A Team of Experts
Our thoracic surgeons, gastroenterologists, interventional endoscopists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists are known for providing leading medical, surgical, and supportive care for people with esophageal cancer. We will put together a team of healthcare professionals to provide the care you need. When planning your treatment, our physicians consider the type, location, and stage of your cancer, as well as your age and physical health.
Advanced Interventional Endoscopy
NewYork-Presbyterian Queens offers:
- GI endoscopy plus optical coherence tomography. For the surveillance and diagnosis of esophageal cancer and its precursor disorder, Barrett’s esophagus, our endoscopists supplement upper GI endoscopy with optical coherence tomography. This technology uses high-intensity light to map the top layers of tissue in the esophagus and identify suspected tumors.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). EUS involves the use of a special endoscope with high-energy sound waves ("echoendoscope") to visualize your digestive tract and nearby organs. It is very useful for evaluating the esophagus.
- Endoscopic tissue removal. Our interventional endoscopists perform both endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to remove cancerous esophageal tissue of various shapes and depths.
- Ablation. We also treat very early-stage esophageal cancers with heat from radio waves that destroy the tumor (radiofrequency ablation).
- Cryotherapy. Extremely cold temperatures can also be used to treat superficial cancers of the esophagus that cannot be removed through other means. An endoscopist uses a super-cooled liquid or gas to freeze abnormal cells before removing them. Cryotherapy can be beneficial to control bleeding from esophageal tumors in some people.
- Esophageal stent. People with blockages in the esophagus can have a stent (a mesh tube) inserted to widen the esophageal opening so they can eat solid foods.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, we use minimally invasive surgical approaches whenever appropriate—such as laparoscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS)—for some early-stage esophageal cancers. Telescopes placed through small incisions in the chest and abdomen are used to visualize, grasp, and remove diseased esophageal tissue and surrounding lymph nodes. Our thoracic surgeons also have a great deal of experience performing more extensive esophageal cancer operations when less invasive approaches are not possible.