All types of esophageal cancer surgeries can be performed either by conventional open method or robotic or laparoscopic method [VATS (Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) or Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy or Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy]. Robotic or Laproscopic cancer surgery has several advantages over conventional open surgery with same cure rate. Open surgery requires chest to be opened and is every painful for the patient. However, only surgery is curative treatment available for esophageal cancers. Additional therapies (chemotherapy & radiotherapy) are mostly supportive. With these advanced techniques the trauma to the patient is much less and this makes the treatment more acceptable.
There are no early symptoms for esophageal cancer. The most common symptoms that appear after the disease grows are:
- Indigestion and heartburn could be one of the earliest symptoms.
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing is the most common symptom
- Pain in the chest, behind the breastbone
- Regurgitation or vomiting soon after eating.
- Weight loss
Endosopic examination of the esophagus and stomach provides the tissue sample for confirmation of the cancer.