Esophageal Cancer

Physicians and surgeons in our nationally ranked cancer center -- a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center -- specialize in treatment with esophageal cancer patients. Your surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist have a detailed and thorough understanding of your particular tumor, how it behaves, and how it should be treated. Our team approach to your care means that all three specialists evaluate your esophageal cancer and use their expertise to develop the most thorough and targeted treatment plan possible for you.

We also understand how esophageal cancer can make it difficult to eat and affect your quality of life. That’s why we also offer palliative procedures, such as dilatation and stenting, that help relieve your pain and improve your ability to eat.

High Patient Volume
We treat hundreds of patients with esophageal cancer every year, significantly more than most medical centers around the country. Our high patient volume is a key reason why our specialists are among the most experienced esophageal cancer experts in the nation.

National Reputation
We are a part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers dedicated to improving care for our patients.

Fast Access to Our Treatment Experts
When you learn you have esophageal cancer, you want treatment as soon as possible. Our patients are able to meet with a radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, and surgeon all on the same day. You will leave your visit understanding your treatment options, and you'll have a comprehensive treatment plan in place.

Surgical Excellence
Each year, our surgeons perform more than 60 esophagectomies. At most hospitals, performing 20 of these surgeries annually is considered high volume. We have experience with esophagectomy on a wide range of patients, from those needing basic procedures to complex cases that may be deemed inoperable elsewhere. Our experience with minimally invasive esophagectomy is unmatched in the Southeast. And we are among the top five hospitals in the country for robot-assisted esophagectomy.

Highly Specialized Care
Our thoracic surgeons and medical and radiation oncologists focus specifically on treating gastrointestinal cancers. Their training and experience gives them expertise in effective, targeted treatments for esophageal cancer. Our patients also have access to nutritionists, pharmacists, and other specialists who work with our team to ensure you experience the best possible outcome.

Support for You
Our comprehensive support services range from helping patients minimize the side effects of treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment. View our cancer support groups in our event calendar.  

Clinical Trial Access
You may be eligible to participate in clinical trials, which offer access to new therapies for esophageal cancer before they are available elsewhere. Our research includes studying patient resistance to chemotherapy and radiation and exploring new ways to improve how tumors respond to radiation. The studies help us understand how different patients respond so we can develop more personalized and targeted treatments for you.