Esophageal cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Reviewed by Dr. Juan José Torrent · Updated: April 30, 2026
Specialty
Esophagogastric tumors
At Quenet-Torrent Institute we treat tumors of the esophagus and stomach with high-complexity oncological surgery, minimally invasive techniques and a multidisciplinary board that decides the treatment.
CONTACT SPECIALIST
Clinical summary
Esophagogastric tumors require complex oncological surgery: esophagectomy or total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. At Quenet-Torrent Institute (Teknon Barcelona · Memorial Publio Cordón Madrid), the team of Dr. Quenet and Dr. Torrent applies these techniques with a minimally invasive approach when indicated, in coordination with medical oncology.
What are esophagogastric tumors?
Esophagogastric tumors include cancers that affect the esophagus, the gastroesophageal junction and the stomach. These tumors require specialized surgery because of the anatomical complexity of the region.
Esophageal cancer includes squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, the latter increasingly common. Gastric cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide.
Surgery is the basis of curative treatment, often combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to improve results.
Symptoms of esophagogastric tumors
Esophagogastric tumors usually cause fairly non-specific symptoms in their early stages, which makes early diagnosis difficult. The most common are difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia), persistent heartburn, heavy digestion, early satiety and pain in the upper abdomen. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss and anemia with tiredness may also appear.
In more advanced stages there may be vomiting of blood or black stools, signs that require immediate medical attention. Since many of these symptoms are shared with benign conditions, any persistent digestive discomfort that does not improve in two or three weeks should be seen by a specialist, especially if it comes with unintentional weight loss or difficulty swallowing.
Causes and risk factors of esophagogastric tumors
There is no single cause, but a combination of factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors. Among the most relevant are tobacco and alcohol use, Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic gastroesophageal reflux and its consequence, Barrett's esophagus, as well as a diet high in salted or smoked foods and low in fresh fruit and vegetables.
Obesity, atrophic gastritis and a family history of gastric or esophageal cancer also significantly increase the risk. Older age is another factor to bear in mind, since most cases are diagnosed from the age of 55. Identifying these risk factors makes it possible to set up endoscopic surveillance programs for patients with a higher predisposition and to detect lesions at early stages, when treatment is more effective.
Esophagogastric conditions we treat
Our unit treats the main oncological conditions of the upper digestive tract.
Stomach cancer
Gastric adenocarcinoma and tumors of the gastroesophageal junction.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
Mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract.
Neuroendocrine tumors
Gastric carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumors.
Why ask for a second opinion on esophagogastric tumors?
A second opinion can change the proposed treatment.
Confirm resectability
Confirm whether a locally advanced tumor can be resected after neoadjuvant treatment.
Assess the surgical approach
Assess the best surgical technique: open, laparoscopic, robotic or thoracoscopic.
Evaluate the extent of resection
Determine the most suitable type of gastrectomy or esophagectomy.
Optimize multimodal treatment
Review the best sequence of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
It is mainly useful to decide the order of treatment and the extent of surgery.
How do we treat esophagogastric tumors?
Surgical treatment is the basis of treatment when resection is possible.
Esophagectomy
Resection of the esophagus with reconstruction by gastric pull-up or colon interposition.
Total gastrectomy
Complete removal of the stomach with Roux-en-Y reconstruction.
Subtotal gastrectomy
Partial resection of the stomach, preserving the fundus.
D2 lymphadenectomy
Extended lymph node dissection according to oncological standards.
Each operation is planned individually according to location, stage and the patient's condition.
Our technology
Technology for esophagogastric surgery
These are the tests and techniques we use for staging and surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery
Laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and robotic surgery.
High-definition endoscopy
Staging and treatment of early lesions.
Endoscopic ultrasound
Assessment of the depth of invasion and lymph nodes.
PET-CT
Staging to rule out distant disease.
Indocyanine green
Intraoperative lymphatic mapping.
WHY CHOOSE US?
Experience in esophagogastric surgery
Quenet-Torrent Institute treats these tumors with teams specialized in surgery of the upper digestive tract.
Experience in complex cases
We focus on advanced cancer and complex cases, with techniques such as minimally invasive esophagectomy or gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy, which not every center offers.
Comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach
Surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nutritionists and psychologists review your case together.
Research
We follow the published scientific evidence and review our protocols when new data appear.
Surgical technology
We have laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and robotic surgery, high-definition endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and indocyanine green to stage and operate with precision.
Personal, close care
We explain each step of the treatment and answer your questions throughout the process.
Conditions related to esophagogastric tumors
Specialized treatment for each type of tumor of the upper digestive tract.
Esophageal cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma, with specialized surgery.
More information about esophageal cancerStomach cancer
Gastric adenocarcinoma and tumors of the gastroesophageal junction.
More information about stomach cancerProcedures for esophagogastric tumors
High-complexity surgical techniques for treating esophageal and stomach cancer.
Robotic surgery
Minimally invasive approach for complex operations on the digestive tract.
More information about robotic surgeryOpen surgery
Traditional approach for cases that require wide exposure of the surgical field.
More information about open surgery
Our team
Esophagogastric tumor specialists
Surgeons and oncologists on the team who treat tumors of the esophagus and stomach.
Dr. François Quenet
Oncological surgeon
View doctor: Dr. François Quenet"Surgeon with expertise in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary tumors and in highly difficult operations."
Dr. Juan José Torrent
Oncological surgeon
View doctor: Dr. Juan José Torrent"Specialist in gynecological tumors, peritoneal carcinomatosis and complex oncological surgery."
Dr. Pablo Lozano Lominchar
Oncological surgeon
View doctor: Dr. Pablo Lozano LomincharSurgeon in the peritoneal carcinomatosis section of Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón and Associate Professor of Surgical Pathology at the Complutense University of Madrid. Trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, he researches new therapies for peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin.
Dr. Carlos Rodríguez-Otero Luppi
General and digestive surgeon
View doctor: Dr. Carlos Rodríguez-Otero LuppiSpecialist in general and digestive surgery, trained at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona. PhD from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Fellow of the European Board of Surgery in minimally invasive surgery (F.E.B.S. M.I.S.), with a focus on the laparoscopic and robotic approach to digestive tumors.
Dr. Clara Montagut
Medical oncologist
View doctorHead of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Section at Hospital del Mar and deputy director of the Hospital del Mar Research Institute. An expert in precision medicine, biomarkers and liquid biopsy in digestive tumors.
Frequently asked questions about esophagogastric tumors
Answers to the most common questions about diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Can esophageal or stomach cancer be cured?
Yes, especially if it is detected at early stages or if the tumor responds well to treatment before surgery. Complete resection with adequate lymph node dissection is the decisive part, and treatment is completed with chemotherapy before, after or at both times.
Is chemotherapy needed before surgery?
In many cases, yes. Treatment before surgery, with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy depending on the tumor, reduces its size, makes a complete resection easier and improves survival. It also shows how the disease responds before the patient undergoes a major operation.
Can it be operated on laparoscopically?
Yes, in many cases, by laparoscopy or with robotic surgery. The oncological results are equivalent to those of open surgery, with fewer respiratory and wound complications. The approach depends on the location of the tumor, its extent and the experience of the team.
What is eating like after surgery?
It requires gradual adaptation, with small, frequent meals chewed slowly, and avoiding lying down right after eating. Specialized nutritional support is part of the treatment, not an extra: maintaining weight and muscle mass directly affects tolerance of chemotherapy and recovery.
How long does recovery take?
The hospital stay is usually 7 to 14 days and full recovery takes between 2 and 3 months. Readjusting to eating is what takes longest and continues after discharge. Enhanced recovery protocols, with early mobilization and nutrition, shorten the stay.
Can you live without a stomach?
Yes. After a total gastrectomy, the intestine takes over the reservoir function and most patients lead a normal life. It requires small, frequent meals and lifelong supplements, especially vitamin B12, which can no longer be absorbed without a stomach, as well as iron and calcium.
Is a second opinion necessary?
It is advisable, especially to confirm the order of treatment and the extent of the planned surgery. In these tumors, deciding whether to operate first or after chemotherapy, and which lymph node dissection to perform, changes the prognosis. A second review by the board clarifies those two questions.
Where can I receive this treatment safely?
At centers with proven experience in esophagogastric surgery and enough case volume. In this surgery, the number of operations a team performs is directly related to postoperative mortality. It is worth asking how many they perform each year and whether they have a multidisciplinary board.
Where to treat esophagogastric tumors?
We operate in two private hospitals in Spain. The same medical team treats you in Madrid and in Barcelona, with the same surgical and oncological protocols.
Madrid
Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Private hospital in Pozuelo de Alarcón with a multidisciplinary team specialised in digestive surgical oncology.
View Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Barcelona
Centro Médico Teknon
Private hospital in Barcelona where the team performs high-complexity surgical oncology.
View Centro Médico Teknon
Real cases
Patients treated by the Quenet Torrent team
Real testimonies from patients treated by our team in high-complexity surgical oncology.
Debra's case
66-year-old English woman with advanced ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. Treated with cytoreduction + HIPEC, she is now disease-free.
Read the full caseRosario (Charo)'s case
73-year-old patient with advanced cancer treated with chemotherapy and high-complexity surgical oncology, with good survival and quality of life.
Read the full caseFelipe's case
A mistaken diagnosis of terminal colon cancer that a second opinion revealed to be pseudomyxoma peritonei, treatable with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.
Read the full caseSantiago's case
Diagnosed with widespread peritoneal carcinomatosis and considered inoperable. After complete cytoreduction with HIPEC, today his is a story of survival.
Read the full case
Verified reviews
See on Google
4.5/5
What our patients say
L
4 weeks ago
5/5
Wonderful surgical team, among the best out there. Dr. Torrent (expert in peritoneal carcinomatosis) is an exceptional surgeon and an even better person. His coordinator is super kind, fast and efficient. The personal care is excellent and so are the results. This is of vital importance for cancer patients.
K
5 months ago
5/5
In the public healthcare system they gave my father a maximum of one year to live. They only offered him chemo and no hope, said it was impossible, that nothing could be done. He had several tumors inside the peritoneal sac with metastases. A year and a half later he is clean, completely cured. His latest PET scan came back clean. We are very happy. Thanks to Dr. Torrent and his team. THANK YOU.
M
A year ago
5/5
Excellent professionals, especially Dr. Torrent, attentive at all times to the patient (my wife), operated for peritoneal pseudomyxoma. They helped us with all our needs since we came from outside Barcelona. Thank you Elisabeth. We are very grateful to Quenet Torrent Institute, thank you for everything.
P
2 years ago
5/5
I am a 63-year-old patient. They detected adrenal gland cancer and told me there was nothing to be done. I sought a second opinion and they told me about the Quenet Torrent team, specialists in complex operations. Dr. Torrent, from the first moment, told me they could operate. They operated and removed a large tumor mass. I spent a week in the ICU and a month on the ward. Every day he came morning and evening, no matter Saturday or Sunday. Never throw in the towel. I am happy to have found these professionals who gave me my life back. Thank you.
I
3 years ago
5/5
Many thanks for your attention. Dr. Torrent always attentive, involved and decisive. The reception staff very pleasant and always offering the best option. 100% RECOMMENDED. THANK YOU.
M
5 years ago
5/5
Dr. Torrent helped me make the best decision at a difficult moment. I think he is a great professional and a person capable of accompanying you and putting himself in another's shoes. Thank you for everything.
F
6 years ago
5/5
I have peritoneal carcinomatosis. When I sent my diagnosis to every center, practically all of them agreed on palliative chemo with little survival time, since I had a very aggressive type of cell. Until we reached Dr. Quenet, Dr. Torrent and their team. I can only confirm what their CV announces: they are far ahead of the rest. They saved my life, because during the operation the harmful cells that everyone had diagnosed, and that were the reason nobody would operate on me, were not there. This intervention has become the best investment of my life.
M
6 years ago
5/5
The best decision of my life was finding this excellent team of surgeons who saved my husband's life. At a prestigious international clinic in Madrid he was given up for lost with advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis from appendiceal cancer, and thanks to them, the best professionals in this field, he was operated on very successfully. A perfect recovery with no complications, because they were on top of his progress at all times. They have a great quality: from the start they were very honest and close. I can only be deeply grateful; we went to buy time and thanks to them my husband got his life back.
E
7 years ago
5/5
Dr. Torrent is a brilliant surgeon and a very approachable and warm doctor, whose manner reveals all the qualities that make him a great person and professional: perseverance, innate curiosity and a desire to learn, humility, sincerity and empathy. Going through an operation is undoubtedly an intense experience, physically and emotionally, in which anxieties arise and you feel very vulnerable. All of that is normal, and as his former patient I can say that his care and professionalism throughout the process were absolutely exceptional. I felt very supported by him, with the confidence of knowing I was in the best hands. I will always be grateful to him. Moltes gràcies Dr. Torrent!
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