Foregut Division

Treatment

We offer patients a dedicated evaluation of conditions including esophageal and gastric cancer, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia, esophageal and gastric motility disorders, esophageal diverticulum, and voice, swallowing, and nutritional conditions.

At the Esophageal Institute, you will experience the full spectrum of advanced diagnostic tools we provide to give you an accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment plans for our patients. We offer our patients a comprehensive evaluation that may include: 

• Barium swallow and modified barium swallow studies
• Gastric emptying study
• Endoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD/upper endoscopy) procedures
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• pH testing (capsule and catheter)
• Motility testing with high-resolution esophageal manometry
• Advanced assessment of Barrett’s esophagus that includes Wide Area Transepithelial Sampling (WATS) with computer-assisted analysis and TissueCypher Barrett's esophagus Assay

Learn more about barium swallow studies and upper endoscopy procedures.

Our surgeons offer a wide range of minimally invasive treatment options that include endoscopic and robotic approaches. This approach can help in smaller incisions, reduced pain, and shorter recoveries for our patients. Our advanced treatments include:

• Dilations
• Stents
• Tissue resection (removal)
• POEM (esophageal, Zenker’s, and gastric)
• Ablative therapies (radiofrequency ablation)
• Photodynamic therapy
• Minimally invasive surgeries:
  • Hiatal hernia repair
  • Myotomy
  • Repair of diverticulum
  • Fundoplication
  • Pyloroplasty
  • Gastrectomy
  • Esophagectomy

The Voice, Swallowing, Behavioral Health, and Nutrition (VSBN) Center is a unique component of the Esophageal Institute. With coordinated care, a dedicated speech language pathologist, GI health psychologist, and dietitian offer patients evaluation and treatment for speech, swallowing, GI behavioral health, and nutritional conditions.

Esophageal cancer specialists

At AHN, our team of esophageal cancer specialists is made up of dedicated health care professionals who provide compassionate and comprehensive care to our patients. Our team quickly diagnoses and treats esophageal conditions to prevent them from developing into a worse condition, like cancer. Preventing, detecting, and treating esophageal disease has never been more effective. The AHN team uses the latest techniques to give you the best possible outcome. 

Leadership

How to get care

If you want to be tested for or have been diagnosed with esophageal or gastric cancer, we’re here to help.

For surgery or other appointments call:

• 412-359-4373 to schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons.
• (412) DOCTORS 412-362-8677 to schedule an appointment with one of our oncologists or to obtain an imaging study.

What to expect from your first appointment

At your first appointment, you will meet multiple members of our care team. Collectively, we will work to review your diagnosis and plan of care. If you have imaging or imaging from another hospital, please send in this information prior to your appointment or bring it with you. Through the course of your appointment, we will work together to understand who you are as a patient and how we can best develop a plan of care that fits your individual needs.

Leaders in esophageal cancer research

AHN researchers are continually investigating novel and effective ways to treat esophageal cancer.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are studies that try to answer questions about new ways to treat cancer with medications, radiation, or surgical techniques. Previous trials have shown how new methods of treatment improve survival and quality of life and reduce the risk of cancer returning.

You participate in a clinical trial only if you volunteer to do so and meet criteria for inclusion in the study, and you can stop participating in a trial at any time.

Who can join a clinical trial?

Clinical trials often have criteria in place to help determine a patient’s eligibility to participate. The treatment team and the researchers can review these criteria to help determine eligibility for a clinical trial. 

Currently active esophageal cancer clinical trials

Find currently active trials if you would like to participate in cutting-edge investigations into the most advanced treatments for esophageal cancer.

Refer your patient to an AHN specialist

Medical professionals who work outside of the Allegheny Health Network, can refer their patients for care by calling:

• 412-359-4373 to schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons.
• (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to schedule an appointment with one of our oncologists or to obtain an imaging study.

For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.