Overview
Esophageal and stomach cancers can be complex, requiring care from a team of specialists. At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, you’ll find the expertise you need right here in South Florida and the Treasure Coast.
We offer quick access to physicians with years of experience diagnosing and treating even the most difficult cancers of the esophagus and stomach. Our team makes it easy to begin treatment right away so you can get back to the activities you love.
Esophageal Cancer Care at Cleveland Clinic: Why Choose Us?
The esophageal cancer and stomach cancer experts at Cleveland Clinic in Florida provide exceptional cancer care for you and your loved ones. Early diagnosis and leading-edge treatments offer hope for a cancer-free life. We provide:
- Care you need, close to home: When you face a cancer diagnosis, you likely have a lot on your mind. The experience and skill of our specialists mean there’s no need to travel for treatment. You’ll find leading-edge therapies and top esophageal and stomach cancer experts in our program.
- Multispecialty team: There’s no one way to treat cancer. We bring together experts in many different specialties to design a treatment plan for your unique needs. Our team of board-certified and fellowship-trained esophageal cancer specialists includes gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and thoracic surgeons. Cancer geneticists, pathologists, patient navigators and supportive therapists are also part of your team.
- Customized experience: We focus on you as a unique individual. We know you have goals for your health and your life after treatment. Our specialists get to know you so we can prioritize your needs and goals at every step.
- Recognized expertise: The Commission on Cancer® accredits the cancer programs at Cleveland Clinic in Florida. Our programs have also earned additional awards and recognition from experts in healthcare. Learn why we’re so well respected in the cancer care community.
What We Treat
Your esophagus plays an important role in your digestion and nutrition. When cancer develops in this muscular tube, it causes changes to different types of cells. Esophageal cancer types include:
- Adenocarcinoma: Esophageal adenocarcinoma cancers occur in the lower section of the esophagus, near the stomach. These cancers begin in cells of the glands that make and release fluids into the esophagus.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma typically occurs in the middle or upper section of the esophagus. These cancers develop in the cells that line your esophagus.
We also treat Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition. Squamous cells lining the esophagus experience changes that increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Stomach cancer (gastric cancer) typically develops in the cells that line the stomach. Most stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas. Tumors may also develop where your stomach and esophagus meet (gastroesophageal junction).
Diagnosing Esophageal Cancers
Our physicians are experts in diagnosing esophageal and stomach cancers. Our specialists begin with a thorough examination. We talk with you about any esophageal cancer symptoms or stomach cancer symptoms you may be experiencing. After your exam, you may have:
Imaging tests
Our imaging specialists use different techniques to create detailed images of your esophagus and stomach. You may have:
- Chest X-ray.
- CT scan.
- Esophagram (barium swallow).
- MRI.
- PET scan.
Upper endoscopy
We use a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) equipped with a light and camera to examine the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your upper GI tract includes your esophagus, stomach and part of your small intestine (duodenum). During upper endoscopy — also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD test) — specialists may remove a tissue sample (biopsy). Our expert pathologists examine this sample under a microscope to look for cancer cells.
Endoscopic ultrasound
Experts attach an ultrasound probe to an endoscope and use sound waves to create images of esophageal and stomach tumors. We view these images to determine if tumors have grown deep into the wall of the esophagus or stomach. We may perform endoscopic ultrasound during upper endoscopy.
Laboratory tests
When biopsy confirms that cancer is present, our pathologists examine tumor tissue and perform certain tests. We determine if there are genes or proteins in the tumor (tumor biomarkers) that we can target with treatment. Specialists may also perform blood tests for cancer.
Bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy
Our experts may perform bronchoscopy or thoracoscopy to see if cancer has spread into the lungs. We use these tests, along with imaging tests, to stage advanced cancers of the esophagus.
Laparoscopy
Specialists use minimally invasive laparoscopy to determine if cancer has spread beyond the stomach. We insert a thin tube with a light and camera through a small incision in your abdomen to see detailed views of nearby organs.
We determine the size and location of tumors, known as staging cancer, to create your personalized treatment plan. We also use diagnostic tests to learn if cancer has spread (metastasized) beyond your esophagus or stomach.
Treatment
You have options at Cleveland Clinic in Florida. We talk with you about the stage of esophageal and stomach tumors and recommend a customized treatment plan. Our multispecialty experts answer your questions and use therapies that offer the best possible health outcomes.
Esophageal cancer treatment
We may recommend that you have several different treatments — sometimes at the same time — for esophageal cancer. The stage of tumors and whether cancer has spread will determine the type and order of treatments you have. Experts may recommend:
Endoscopic procedures
Gastroenterologists who specialize in digestive disease and surgery use an endoscope to view your esophagus and remove cancerous tissue. We use endoscopic mucosal resection to remove tumors while leaving your esophagus intact. Specialists may also use an endoscope to perform:
- Ablation therapy: Experts use electrical currents or lasers to destroy cancer with ablation therapy.
- Photodynamic therapy: We use photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat early-stage esophageal cancer and Barrett’s esophagus.
Surgery for esophageal cancer
Our surgeons are highly trained in all types of minimally invasive surgery. When appropriate, we use minimally invasive techniques that can help cure esophageal cancer. With these less-aggressive surgeries, our experts remove tumors with precision. Surgeries we use include:
Radiation therapy
Our radiation oncology experts use radiation therapy to treat cancers of the esophagus. Techniques we use include:
- Brachytherapy: Specialists use brachytherapy, radiation that stays in your body for a short time, to apply radiation near the tumor site.
- External beam therapy: We use a machine (linear accelerator) to target high-energy beams that destroy tumors.
When esophageal cancer spreads beyond the esophagus, we may use an intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) called volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). With this advanced radiation technique, our experts precisely treat tumors and preserve healthy tissue.
Reconstructive surgery for esophageal cancer
In complex esophageal cancers, our surgeons help protect and restore your ability to speak and swallow with leading-edge reconstructive surgery techniques. When needed, we offer microvascular reconstruction surgery after esophageal cancer surgery. Surgeons may use some of your own tissue and blood vessels to rebuild structures that were removed or damaged during cancer treatment. We connect blood vessels in the tissue’s new location to ensure that the transplanted tissue is functional.
Systemic therapy for esophageal cancer
Our medical oncologists use personalized powerful drugs to treat cancer. These medications travel through your bloodstream to destroy esophageal cancer cells. You may have these drugs before or after treatments like radiation and surgery. We may recommend:
Stomach cancer treatment
Cleveland Clinic experts treat stomach cancers with a range of therapies, including upper endoscopy procedures and stomach surgery. Depending on tumor location and stage, you may have:
- Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal and gastric cancer.
- Partial or total surgery to remove part or all of your stomach (gastrectomy).
Our specialists may treat you with a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy before and after surgery. When stomach cancer recurs or advances, we may treat you with immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
Appointments & Locations
Make an appointment at one of our Cleveland Clinic locations in Florida, or schedule a virtual visit.
Locations
Research & Clinical Trials
Cancer treatments have advanced significantly in recent years. Our physicians contribute to these advancements by leading clinical trials of emerging therapies. Researchers at our Florida Research and Innovation Center also study ways to improve your health after treatment. Search for a clinical trial and ask your doctor if you may be eligible to participate in a trial.
Palliative & Supportive Care
Esophageal and stomach cancer can affect how you eat, drink and speak. Our team supports you at every step of your cancer journey. We offer cancer palliative and supportive care services and therapies to help you feel better during and after treatment. Your patient navigator connects you with cancer nutritionists and therapies to help manage any side effects of treatment and preserve your ability to speak and swallow.
