Oesophageal Cancer treatment in Jaipur
Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic radical oesophagectomy for food-pipe cancer, offering faster recovery than open surgery.
About oesophageal cancer
Oesophageal (food pipe) cancer most often presents as progressive difficulty in swallowing. The two main types are squamous cell carcinoma, common in India and linked to tobacco, alcohol and very hot beverages, and adenocarcinoma, linked to long-standing acid reflux.
Treatment usually combines chemo-radiation with surgery. Dr. Ledwani performs minimally invasive (laparoscopic and thoracoscopic) radical oesophagectomy, which removes the diseased segment and lymph nodes through small incisions, reducing lung complications and hospital stay.
Symptoms to watch for
- Difficulty swallowing solids, later liquids (dysphagia)
- Unintentional weight loss
- Pain or burning behind the breastbone
- Food coming back up, persistent cough or hoarseness
- Vomiting blood or black stools
Risk factors
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Very hot tea, coffee or food consumed regularly
- Long-standing acid reflux and Barrett's oesophagus
- Obesity and poor diet low in fruits and vegetables
- Achalasia or previous caustic injury
How it is diagnosed
- Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy
- CT scan of chest and abdomen
- PET-CT for staging
- Endoscopic ultrasound in selected patients
- Lung function and nutritional assessment before surgery
Treatment options
- Neoadjuvant chemo-radiation
Treatment given before surgery to shrink the tumour and improve the chance of complete removal.
- Minimally invasive oesophagectomy
Removal of the food pipe segment and lymph nodes through keyhole incisions in the chest and abdomen, with the stomach reshaped into a new conduit.
- Open oesophagectomy
Reserved for selected cases where minimally invasive surgery is not suitable.
- Feeding support
Temporary feeding tube and dietitian-guided nutrition plan to rebuild strength through treatment.
- Palliative stenting
For advanced disease, a stent can restore swallowing and quality of life.
Why choose Dr. Ledwani for oesophageal cancer surgery
- 16+ years and 10,000+ cancer surgeries, with formal MCh training in surgical oncology
- Organ- and function-preserving techniques used wherever oncologically safe
- Laparoscopic and VATS approaches for faster recovery in suitable patients
- Multidisciplinary planning with medical and radiation oncology at BMCHRC, Jaipur
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat normally after oesophagectomy?
Yes, with adjustments. Patients eat smaller, more frequent meals initially and most return to a near-normal diet within a few months.
Why is keyhole surgery better here?
Avoiding a large chest incision means less pain, better breathing after surgery, fewer lung complications and a shorter ICU and hospital stay.
What is the hospital stay?
Typically 8–12 days including a short ICU stay for monitoring.
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