The management of benign and malignant esophageal disease continues to be a major clinical challenge. Our thoracic surgeons have wide experience in the surgical management of esophageal diseases.

Benign conditions, which often require surgical intervention include disorders such as achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux, motility disorders, and Zenker's Diverticulum. Our surgeons employ standard open surgical approaches, as well as minimally invasive or thorascopic techniques in treating these conditions.

Carcinoma of the esophagus is not a particular frequent entity in the United States, but does effect 12,000 to 15,000 individuals annually and is considered a highly lethal tumor. Symptoms such as dysphasia (the inability to swallow) caused by carcinoma of the esophagus are well known, but tend to occur later in the course of the disease. Only 15%-20% of patients diagnosed with esophageal carcinoma are candidates for curative resection. Many other patients benefit from palliative procedures.

Malignant and premalignant conditions of the esophagus are generally managed with a multimodality approach. The combination of preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy has improved not only the resectability of these tumors, but also has improved the survival in these patients.

Home I Heart Attack I Diet I Excercise I Risk Factors I Valve Symptoms I Heart Disease Symptoms
Warning Signs I Bypass Surgery I Questions & Answers

The content on this web site is intended to provide you and your family with a better understanding of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery including coronary artery disease, beating heart bypass surgery and endoscopic vein harvesting. This information is not intended as a substitute for an informed discussion with your physician.  We encourage you to maintain an open dialogue with you and your primary care physician.  Please feel free to print the information contained on this web site and share this information with your family and physician(s).

Select a Condition then Click to proceed to your area of interest!

©2001 Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgical Associates, PA
  All Rights  Reserved
Web master: webmaster@fltca.com
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 Rev A

FastCounter by bCentral