Surgical options

Surgery is the preferred treatment for certain early stage esophageal cancers. For advanced esophageal cancers, other forms of treatment, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery can be considered. If cancer is found in the esophagus, nearby lymph nodes are also removed during surgery to test for the presence of cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma cannot be treated with esophageal cancer surgery. However, we offer a variety of procedures such as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for this type of esophageal cancer.

Some surgical options available to esophageal cancer patients at City of Hope include:

Robotic surgery (da Vinci® surgical system)

The da Vinci surgical system offers a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery and laparoscopy. Because it requires only a few tiny incisions and offers greater vision, precision and control for your surgeon, you may recover sooner, move on to additional treatments if needed and get back to daily life quicker. 

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)

A surgeon performs EMR, a minimally invasive procedure, to remove very early-stage cancer in your esophagus. In some cases, it may be used during the diagnosis process. During an EMR, a thin tube is inserted down your throat. The tube, called an endoscope, has instruments attached to the end that remove the tumor.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy

If the affected area is small, a minimally invasive esophagectomy may be performed instead of an open esophagectomy. Making only a few small incisions, a surgeon uses a laparoscope (a long tube with a small camera attached to the end) to help guide the precise procedure. Once all or part of your esophagus is removed, the remaining esophagus will be connected.

Open esophagectomy

During an open esophagectomy, the surgeon removes some or all of the esophagus, depending on the stage of the tumor.