The Department of Thoracic Surgery provides comprehensive, expert care for patients with cancer of the esophagus and other related diseases. Treatment of esophageal diseases requires an interdisciplinary approach that draws on various medical specialties. At BMC, we are fortunate to have highly skilled physicians in all of the disciplines needed to provide comprehensive, quality care including medical oncology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, gastroenterology, pathology, pulmonary medicine and radiology.
We believe that cancer treatment requires a collaborative, team approach, not only among your doctors, nurses and support service providers, but with you and your family as full participants in your care. We understand that a cancer diagnosis challenges patients and families in many ways and we are committed to meeting those challenges with you.
We will take care of you through all phases of your care from diagnosis, to treatment, to follow-up care, and you will always be treated with dignity and respect by all of the members of your care team.
We offer a full spectrum of clinical services to provide exceptional treatment for patients with esophageal cancers and diseases. Our areas of expertise include:
Achalasia
Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that is often connected to GERD—gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux. The lining of the esophagus, the tube between the mouth and stomach, is replaced by tissue similar to the intestinal lining. There may be no symptoms, but once discovered frequent testing for dysplasia (pre-cancerous cells) is recommended, as sometimes the condition progresses to esophageal cancer.
Epiphrenic Diverticulum
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer occurs the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This type of cancer is more common in men than women and is not very common in the United States.
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. Normally, food travels from the mouth, down through the esophagus and into the stomach. A ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), contracts to keep the acidic contents of the stomach from “refluxing” or coming back up into the esophagus. In those who have GERD, the LES does not close properly, allowing acid to move up the esophagus.