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Esophageal cancer occurs anywhere along the esophagus (the long and hollow tube that runs from the throat to the stomach). Surgery for esophageal cancer is often used to try to remove cancer and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it for some earlier stage cancers. In some cases, the surgery may be combined with other types of treatment, such as radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
Esophageal cancer surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery is done using the standard open technique in which your surgeon makes one large incision in the chest or abdomen, or minimally invasive where your surgeon makes several small incisions. During the surgery, your surgeon will try to remove the tumor and some healthy tissue that surrounds it or removes some or most of the esophagus (esophagectomy). In some cases, a small upper portion of your stomach is removed as well (esophagogastrectomy).
You will be staying 7 to 10 days in the hospital following the surgery, but plan to stay in Bulgaria for 10 to 14 more days after you are discharged from the hospital. During your stay in the country, you will be under a close monitor of your surgeon. Stitches are usually removed within 14 days.
Esophageal cancer surgery is not a simple procedure, therefore, it may require long recovery time. You should not do any strenuous activity (including intense exercise and heavy lifting) for about 8 weeks after the surgery and you will need tube feeding (enteral nutrition) for 4 to 6 weeks to ensure adequate nutrition. Talk to your doctor about your recovery timeline, including when you can return to work and resume your daily activities.
Since your stomach size is likely reduced after the surgery, you need to adjust your diet and eat more frequently in smaller quantities. Your doctor may recommend follow-up care to prevent complications, including lung therapy, nutritional assessments, pain management, and psychosocial care. You also need to attend regular follow-up checkups to make sure the tumor has not returned and there are no new tumor growths.
Surgery for esophageal cancer is known to be highly successful. Patients who undergo surgery are more likely to survive long term than those who did not. However, like all serious operations, esophageal cancer surgery has some side effects and risks, including lung complications, voice changes, infection, bleeding, cough, leakage from the surgical connection of the stomach and the esophagus, acid or bile reflux, dysphagia, and reaction to anesthesia.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy (to kill cancer cells using drugs) or radiation therapy (to kill cancer cells using high-powered X-ray beams) along with or instead of surgery. Make sure to discuss with your doctor, the best option for you as well as the risk and benefit of each procedure.
Esophageal cancer causes symptoms such as dysphagia, unintentional weight loss, chest pain, heartburn, coughing, and hoarseness. It may interfere with your ability to perform your daily activities and it can lead to dangerous complications. After the surgery, some of your symptoms should be relieved and your quality of life will be improved significantly.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Bulgaria has plenty to offer and tourists are going to be very impressed with the country’s mountainous landscapes, beautiful Black Sea beaches, fascinating history, friendly locals, lively nightlife, and affordability. Although the country’s holiday tourism is very much on the radar, it is also actually quite popular with medical tourists, due to its modern medical centers, highly trained medical professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, affordable healthcare, and mineral baths, thousands of medical tourists visit this country each year. Most of the medical tourists come for dental treatment, orthopedic surgery, elective surgery, neurosurgery, as well as health screening.
Bulgaria’s laid-back capital city, Sofia, is truly a must-visit. It is full of museums, Ottoman mosques, communist architecture, chic galleries, Eastern Orthodox churches, amazing restaurants, and upbeat clubs. One of the most popular landmarks in the country is the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, which is an awe-inspiring church built between 1882 and 1912 to honor 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for the independence of Bulgaria during the Russo-Turkish war. If you want to relax on beautiful beaches visit Varna, which is a major tourist destination during the summer. The second-largest, city in Bulgaria is Plovdiv and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Tourists are attracted by the Roman Amphitheatre, Archeological Museum, and Tsar Simeon Central Garden.
Most international tourists will arrive at Sofia Airport, which serves flights to most numerous major cities in Europe and the Middle East. There are several budget airlines that operate flights from this airport, including Ryanair and Wizz Air. Domestic flights are available, but they tend to be expensive. Therefore, to travel from one city to another, trains and buses are the best option. Buses and trains are punctual and affordable. However, if you are in a hurry, you should avoid trains as they can be a little slow. To travel around big cities, taxis are widely available and are really cheap. Just make sure you choose a licensed taxi to avoid being overcharged.
While Bulgaria is not yet a part of the Schengen Area, it has a visa policy that is based on the Schengen system. Therefore, holders of Schengen Visa are allowed to enter the country. Additionally, citizens of 62 countries, including the US, Australia, and the UAE, can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa.
From June to August, Bulgaria experiences summer. The weather can get a bit hot and humid, with an average temperature of 19°C to 21°C. July is the wettest month in the country. Winter, from December to February, is usually freezing. Autumn and Spring bring pleasant weather.