Surgical treatment for esophageal cancer includes open-heart surgery and minimally invasive surgery, which surgery is more effective depends on the patient’s condition. If the tumor is confined to smaller parts, minimally invasive resection is more effective; if the tumor is larger or more complicated, open-heart surgery is more effective.
1. Open thoracic surgery: open thoracic surgery for esophageal cancer is suitable for the resection of middle and late-stage complex esophageal cancer or large esophageal cancer tumors, which has a wider field of vision and can resect the tumor tissues in a better and more thorough way, but the surgical trauma is large and the postoperative complications are more frequent.
2. Minimally invasive surgery: minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer is suitable for the resection of simpler esophageal cancer, which has the effect of microscopic magnification, clear surgical field, more delicate operation, more extensive lymph node dissection, fast postoperative recovery and fewer postoperative complications, and shortens the course of the disease greatly. However, minimally invasive surgery has a small incision, which is not conducive to the resection and removal of larger tumors.
For the resection of tumor, the specific way which is effective should be chosen by the specialist according to the specific situation of the patient. It is recommended that esophageal cancer patients should determine the surgical method under the guidance of thoracic surgeons.