Overview

Overview

Esophageal Cancer Program

Cleveland Clinic’s esophageal cancer program brings together a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons who use sophisticated diagnostic testing and work together to provide a customized plan of care along with supportive services for each patient.   Because esophageal cancer can affect swallowing and quality of life, a team of nurses, dietitians, social workers, and pain management specialists are also part of the care team.

Why choose us?

  • Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care.
  • Comprehensive program. Our team offers a full range of diagnostic tools and treatment options, personalized to each patient.
  • A team approach. Our experts continually seek to improve cancer care through tumor board meetings where they review cancer cases for multidisciplinary clinical management decisions, including discussing new treatments or experimental therapies.
  • Surgical expertise. Since 2000 Cleveland Clinic surgeons have performed over 1,000 operations for esophageal cancer (esophagectomies) with a safety profile much better than that reported nationwide by the Society of Thoracic Surgery (less than 2%). Cleveland Clinic has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes for esophagectomy. The three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places Cleveland Clinic among the elite for general thoracic surgery in the United States and Canada. These results are from the General Thoracic Surgery Database (three-year period ending 6/30/2018).
  • Superior Outcomes. Our goal is to provide the best possible outcomes and fastest recovery for our patients. Review our outcomes below.
  • Clinical Trials. Access the latest treatments through advanced clinical trials available at Cleveland Clinic.
Our Doctors

Our Doctors

The Esophageal Cancer Program brings together specialists in gastroenterology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and thoracic surgery.

Our medical team

Gastroenterology

Amit Bhatt, MD, FASGE
Amit Bhatt, MD, FASGE		 Prabhleen Chahal, MD
Prabhleen Chahal, MD		 Sunguk Jang, MD
Sunguk Jang, MD
Madhusudhan Sanaka, MD
Madhusudhan Sanaka, MD		 John Vargo, MD, MPH
John Vargo, MD, MPH		 Gregory Zuccaro, Jr., MD
Gregory Zuccaro, Jr., MD

Medical oncology

Bassam Estfan, MD
Bassam Estfan, MD		 Alok Khorana, MD
Alok Khorana, MD		 Smitha Krishnamurthi, MD
Smitha Krishnamurthi, MD
Michael McNamara, MD
Michael McNamara, MD		 Marc Shapiro, MD
Marc Shapiro, MD		 Suneel Kamath, MD
Suneel Kamath, MD

Radiation oncology

Gregory Videtic, MD
Gregory Videtic, MD		 Neil Woody, MD
Neil Woody, MD

Thoracic surgery

Usman Ahmad, MD
Usman Ahmad, MD		 Sudish Murthy, MD, PhD
Sudish Murthy, MD, PhD 		Siva Raja, MD, PhD
Siva Raja, MD, PhD
Daniel Raymond, MD
Daniel Raymond, MD		 Monisha Sudarshan, MD
Monisha Sudarshan, MD		  
What We Treat

What We Treat

What is esophageal cancer?
Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis

In order to provide the best care possible, our team of healthcare professionals offers patients a full range of diagnostic and imaging tools. These include:

Treatments

Treatment is based on the specific type of cancer you have, the location of your cancer, the stage of your cancer based on diagnostic tests, as well as several patient factors such as age, fitness, other medical problems, and patient preference. Cleveland Clinic offers a wide range of treatments. 

Endoscopic procedures for superficial cancers

Surgery

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Chemotheraphy and radiation therapy are used for:

  • Systemic cancer.
  • Combination therapy with surgery.
  • Definitive Therapy.
  • Palliative Therapy.

Additional information

Appointments

Appointments

Whether you are coming from around the corner or around the world, you want to know what to expect before, during and after your visit with us. If you have any questions while reviewing this information, please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

To make an appointment, call 866.223.8100.

To complete all testing, you will need to stay in the Cleveland area for 1 to 2 days. Your doctor will provide you with a plan of care and let you know when you need to come back for another visit. 

Traveling to Cleveland Clinic

We want your trip to Cleveland Clinic to be as easy as possible. 

Please note: Parking for your appointment will vary depending on where your appointment is. Check with the scheduler for specific parking instructions.

Patient Services & Support

Patient Services & Support

In addition to offering state of the art diagnostic techniques and esophageal cancer treatment methods, our specialists offer an array of resources that can help patients cope with the demands of cancer. Patients are encouraged to take advantage of these resources to ease the burden of managing cancer.

Research & Innovations

Research & Innovations

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center clinical trials offer patients important treatment options and access to the latest treatments and procedures resulting from cancer research.

For Medical Professionals

For Medical Professionals

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center is committed to working with you to provide the best care for your patients. Our team is also dedicated to the training and education of medical professionals to advance cancer care and research.

Make an online referral

To make a direct online referral to our Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, complete our Online Cancer Patient Referral Form or visit clevelandclinic.org/cancerpatientreferrals.

You will receive confirmation once the appointment is scheduled.

Visit Consult QD, a site for physicians and healthcare professionals. Discover the latest research insights, innovations and emerging advances from Cleveland Clinic specialists.

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