Esophageal Cancer; Causes Symptoms and Advanced Treatments

27 March 2026

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Understanding Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer treatment starts with understanding this severe condition that can affect the upper, middle, or lower sections of the esophagus. Several risk factors contribute to its development, including:

• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Frequent intake of very hot foods and beverages
• Obesity and untreated acid reflux
• Underlying medical conditions like Barretts esophagus

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Early detection plays a crucial role in successful treatment. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent chest pain
• Vomiting or regurgitation of food
• Noticeable changes in your voice

Diagnosis and Prevention

You can lower your risk by adopting a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and getting proper treatment for acid reflux. When symptoms are present, timely medical evaluation is essential. Doctors typically confirm the diagnosis using advanced diagnostic tools such as Endoscopy, Biopsy, CT scans, and PET scans.

Advanced Surgical Treatment Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy

Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy is currently one of the most effective and innovative surgical treatments for esophageal cancer. The Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai routinely and successfully performs this advanced procedure. Notably, our expert surgical team conducted the very first successful Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy in Central Kerala.

What is Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy?

This is a minimally invasive keyhole surgery performed through the chest to treat cancer and other serious diseases of the esophagus. Instead of making large incisions, surgeons create small cuts to insert a specialized camera and surgical instruments. This allows for the precise removal of the cancerous portion of the esophagus along with the surrounding lymph nodes.

How It Differs From Traditional Surgery

Traditional esophageal surgery requires a large and lengthy incision across the chest. Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy completely avoids this major incision, making it a much safer option, particularly for elderly patients.

This modern approach offers several distinct advantages over conventional open surgery:

• Considerably less pain
• Reduced blood loss
• Fewer respiratory complications, preventing issues like pneumonia

Key Benefits of the Procedure

• Faster overall recovery
• Shorter hospital stays
• Enhanced safety for older patients
• Greater surgical precision for complex cases

Comprehensive Care in Surgical Gastroenterology

Led by a highly skilled team of experts, the Surgical Gastroenterology department provides comprehensive medical care and advanced surgical interventions. We offer both traditional open surgeries and state of the art keyhole procedures for cancerous and noncancerous conditions affecting the following organs:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small and large intestine
• Rectum
• Liver
• Pancreas

Dr. Manjuraj K P

MBBS, MS (Gen Surgery), DNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Senior Consultant and Head - Surgical Gastroenterology