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In 1998, the North Shore-LIJ Health System embarked upon a multidisciplinary program combining Thoracic Surgery with Surgical Oncology and Minimally Invasive Surgery to provide a comprehensive program in the management of complex esophageal problems. This has led to the creation of the North Shore-LIJ Esophageal Center, the largest provider of care for esophageal cancer and other complex esophageal disorders in the NY metro area.

We have treated more esophageal cancer patients from the NY metro area than any other hospital on LI or NYC.*

Outcomes following esophagectomy are directly linked to hospital volumes.

Our outcomes are among the best in the nation.**

The success of our program is based upon the principle of a totally combined approach to the planning and management of all cases between our Thoracic and Surgical Oncologic Teams.

Recently, we have adopted a totally thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach to esophageal resection in the form of Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE), in which the esophageal cancer is resected without any abdominal or thoracic incisions.

We are the only regional center to participate in ECOG 2202, which is a nationally coordinated program to monitor MIE, and provide cancer-related data following surgery for esophageal cancer to a central database.

Not only is each patient seen by a Thoracic and Abdominal surgeon in consultation, but each patient is also discussed at our multidisciplinary treatment coordinating meetings prior to surgery. This provides input and insights from our gastrointestinal oncologists and interventional gastroenterologists in order to provide optimized and individualized planning for each of our patients` specific needs.

This has resulted in the busiest and most comprehensive provider of care for all patients with esophageal cancer and other complex esophageal problems in the NY Metro area.

In addition to esophageal cancer, we are referred more patients with complex swallowing problems, including achalasia, giant paraesophageal hernias, Barrett`s esophagus, GERD and complications of prior surgery than any other hospital in the region.

*SPARCS NYC, Nassau, Suffolk
** 30 Day hospital mortality