Esophageal Disorders Center
Esophageal experts at Cedars-Sinai use advanced treatments to care for gastrointestinal motility disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus and achalasia.
What Is an Esophageal Disorder?
The esophagus is the tube-shaped muscle that connects the throat to the stomach. Esophageal disorders occur when the esophagus muscle and opening become weak.
Normally, the esophagus pushes food through an expandable valve (sphincter) into the stomach. The sphincter opens wide to let food through and then closes to prevent stomach acid and food from backing up in the esophagus.
When the sphincter isn't functioning correctly, it can result in difficulty swallowing, heartburn, ulcers and, over time, severe conditions such as cancer. Our team offers medical, surgical and endoscopic options to treat pain, swallowing disorders and other esophageal diseases.
Our Approach to Esophageal Disorders
At the Cedars-Sinai Esophageal Disorders Program, you can expect:
Specialized Care
As a dedicated esophageal center, we are by your side from diagnosis through follow up. Our team has experience in a vast array of esophageal conditions, so we can provide the right treatment for your needs.
Expert Diagnosis
Our focus and training enables us to dig deep into understanding and treating the esophagus. We apply this expertise to provide fast and thorough testing and diagnosis.
Advanced Treatments
We offer the latest treatments for esophageal motility, including a scar-free surgery to treat GERD.
Personalized Care
We work with you to find the treatment that is right for you. We help you explore treatment options that fit your lifestyle and will help you feel your best.
Esophageal Conditions We Treat
We provide expert care for a range of conditions, including:
- Achalasia
- Barrett's esophagus
- Dysphagia
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hiatal hernia
- Infectious esophageal disorders
Advanced Acid Reflux Treatment: Incisionless Fundoplication
Cedars-Sinai is one of a handful of centers nationwide that offers an incision-free, scar-free procedure to treat chronic acid reflux (GERD).
During the procedure (transoral incisionless fundoplication), we pass a surgical scope (endoscope) through the mouth and into the stomach. We use the endoscope to repair the valve so stomach acid no longer backs up into the esophagus.
Incisionless fundoplication helps patients recover faster, with no scarring and less pain and swelling than after traditional or laparoscopic procedures.
Esophageal Cancer
Our team customizes treatments for esophageal cancer. We work with other specialists to treat all stages and types of esophageal cancer, from common to complex cases. We provide a combination of minimally invasive surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to meet your needs. Our team includes experts in:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgery
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Have Questions or Need Help?
To make an appointment or refer a patient, call us or send a message to the Esophageal Disorders team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.