Precision Diagnosis and Staging
1. Multidisciplinary Oncology Consultation
The successful treatment of esophageal cancer requires a perfectly coordinated plan developed by a multidisciplinary tumor board.
Your Consultation in Istanbul:
- Advanced Staging: Utilizing Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and PET-CT scans to determine the precise depth of the tumor and assess lymph node involvement.
- Multidisciplinary Board: Your case is reviewed by thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists to define the safest approach.
- Neoadjuvant Therapy: Discussing whether chemotherapy or radiation is needed before surgery to shrink the tumor and improve surgical outcomes.
Complex Reconstruction and Care
2. Surgical Excellence in Esophagectomy
An esophagectomy involves removing the affected part of the esophagus and reconstructing it, usually by pulling up the stomach to create a new digestive pathway.
Advanced Surgical Approaches:
- Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE): Utilizing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic techniques to perform the surgery with smaller incisions, reducing trauma and improving recovery times.
- Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Providing surgeons with 3D vision and unmatched precision when dissecting delicate tissues in the chest and abdomen.
- Lymph Node Dissection: Meticulous removal of surrounding lymph nodes to prevent the spread of the disease and ensure accurate pathological staging.
Rebuilding Strength Safely
3. Post-Operative Nutritional and Respiratory Support
Recovery from esophageal surgery is intensive and requires specialized nursing, respiratory therapy, and nutritional guidance.
Recovery Milestones:
- ICU Care: You will spend the first few days in the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring of your breathing and the new surgical connections.
- Respiratory Therapy: Dedicated physiotherapists will guide you through breathing exercises to prevent pneumonia and strengthen your lungs.
- Nutritional Re-education: You will slowly transition from a feeding tube to a liquid diet, and eventually to soft foods. Our clinical dietitians will teach you how to eat smaller, more frequent meals to accommodate your reconstructed digestive tract.
Our specialized team ensures you have the support needed for this significant transition.