Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Patient Care Resources
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the primary treatments for esophageal cancer. Which treatments are used and the sequence are determined by the location and stage of the tumor. In the earliest stages, surgery or endoscopic treatment alone is used. In more advanced cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are recommended before surgery and/or after surgery. In the most advanced cases, chemotherapy and sometimes radiation are used instead of surgery.
If surgery is recommended, your surgeon will discuss what kind of esophagectomy is best for you. We will help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery at home.
WHATTO KNOW TO PREPARE FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER SURGERY
1Understanding Your Condition
2Getting Started In Your Care
3Getting Your Diagnosis
4Planning Your Treatment
Esophageal Surgery: Patient Care Resources
Getting Ready for Surgery
Your surgery team has worked with you to develop the therapy plan that’s right for you, based on the details of your diagnosis. The goal is to identify the least invasive and most effective surgery for your unique condition.
Before
During
After
Before your surgery, you will meet with your surgeon in clinic to review your diagnosis and staging, and discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives to surgery. You will likely get an EKG and blood tests that day.
Some patients will undergo additional testing, such as pulmonary function tests (to evaluate the lungs) or an echocardiogram or stress test (to evaluate the heart).
Some patients will meet with the anesthesia team to discuss your options and preferences for sedation. At this meeting, you and the anesthesiologist will:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
The length of time for your surgery, hospital stay, and recovery depends on the unique details of your condition and treatment plan. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
Come in for your post-op appointment
Your post-op appointment takes place 7 to 10 days after your surgery. We will work with you before your surgery to choose a day and time for this visit. During the appointment, you meet with your surgeon and other members of your care team to:
- Review the pathology report from your surgery
- Change your dressings, if needed
- Address any concerns
Before your surgery, you will meet with your surgeon in clinic to review your diagnosis and staging, and discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives to surgery. You will likely get an EKG and blood tests that day.
Some patients will undergo additional testing, such as pulmonary function tests (to evaluate the lungs) or an echocardiogram or stress test (to evaluate the heart).
Some patients will meet with the anesthesia team to discuss your options and preferences for sedation. At this meeting, you and the anesthesiologist will:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
close Before
The length of time for your surgery, hospital stay, and recovery depends on the unique details of your condition and treatment plan. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
close During
Come in for your post-op appointment
Your post-op appointment takes place 7 to 10 days after your surgery. We will work with you before your surgery to choose a day and time for this visit. During the appointment, you meet with your surgeon and other members of your care team to:
- Review the pathology report from your surgery
- Change your dressings, if needed
- Address any concerns
close After
If you need surgery, our surgical oncology (cancer surgery) team manages your care during this part of your treatment. We work with you to explain our recommendations for your surgical plan to help you decide what’s right for you. We also help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery at home.
You are an important part of the care team, too, so ask us questions and voice your concerns at any point in your treatment. Members of your surgical oncology team include:
Your Doctors
Surgeon
Also known as a surgical oncologist, your cancer surgeon specializes in surgical procedures to diagnose and treat cancer. Your surgeon serves as your attending physician, the doctor who directs your care team. They help you choose the best type of surgery for your care. Potential options include traditional (open) approaches or minimally invasive techniques to remove tumors and surrounding tissue.
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An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in using medications to put you to sleep and block pain during surgery. They will also place a breathing tube After giving medication, your anesthesiologist monitors vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate throughout your surgery and immediate recovery. Some patients will meet with their anesthesia team at a pre-operative visit to review the case.
The anesthesiologist may also place an epidural before you are asleep. If so, the pain team will visit you every day after surgery while you have the epidural and make sure you’re comfortable.
Pathologist
Working closely with your oncologist, your pathologist performs and reads laboratory tests to determine the type and stage of cancer present. These doctors have special training to detect and diagnose cancer. They use a microscope to examine the specimens taken during surgery. As with radiologists, you may not meet your pathologist while he/she works with your oncologist to diagnose your cancer.
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Extended Care Team
This health care provider works with your surgical oncologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician’s assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Our nurse coordinator will meet you before surgery to provide instructions about preparing for the procedure, as well as for your recovery at home. They will discuss:
- What to do in the days before surgery
- How to handle your return home, including arranging for help for the first few days
- Answers to your questions
The CAA helps with administrative issues such as scheduling your appointments, managing your paperwork, and requesting your medical records.
Registered nurses will take care of you while you stay in the hospital.
This team member greets you at the front desk and registers you for your appointments.
A Surgery Scheduler will arrange your pre-surgical appointments with your surgical oncologist. This staff member also schedules your surgeries
Support Services
PATHWELL SUPPORT SERVICES
PathWell is your connection to personalized support services before, during, and after your treatment. Our teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, nutrition experts, financial counselors, and more work with your oncology team to provide comprehensive specialized care to you and to your family.
- 650-498-6000 Ask for the PathWell team
Stanford Health Library
For confidential help with your health care questions, contact the Stanford Health Library. Professional medical librarians and trained volunteers, access journals, books, e-books, databases, and videos to learn more about medical conditions, treatment options, and related issues.
- 875 Blake Wilbur, Palo Alto: 1st floor near the cafe, 650-736-1960
- South Bay Cancer Center: 3rd floor lobby, 408-353-0197
- Email us your questions: healthlibrary@stanfordhealthcare.org
At your first appointment, you will meet the team who will take care of you throughout your treatment. During this visit, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you in detail, perform a physical examination, and discuss important information about your cancer and possible treatment options.