Which specialist performs oesophagus removal surgery?

An oesophagectomy removes part or all of the oesophagus and reconnects the digestive tract so swallowing can continue. The operation may involve the chest, abdomen, or neck, depending on the tumour’s position and the planned technique. A surgical oncologist leads the operation, while anaesthesia, gastroenterology, radiology, pathology, dietetics, nursing, and medical or radiation oncology teams may support the full course of care.

Before treatment, tell the team about swallowing difficulty, reflux, breathing conditions, medicines, allergies, and previous surgery. Ask how you will receive nutrition while healing and what changes to eating may be expected. After the operation, follow instructions about walking, breathing exercises, wound care, medicines, and gradual food progression. Keep follow-up appointments so the team can review healing, swallowing, and pathology findings.

Seek urgent medical help for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, or rapidly worsening swelling. Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, increasing chest or abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, inability to swallow fluids, worsening wound redness, or fluid leaking from an incision. These symptoms need assessment after major upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Ask which surgeon will lead the operation, which surgical approach is planned, how nutrition will be supported, how swallowing may change, and when pathology results will be discussed.