Esophageal Disease Program

DEPARTMENT/INSTITUTE
Thoracic Surgery and University Hospitals Digestive Health Institute

DIRECTORS
Philip Linden, MD, Thoracic Surgery
John Dumot, DO, Gastroenterology

KEY CONTACTS
Amitabh Chak, MD; Jennifer Dorth, MD; Jeffrey Marks, MD; Leena Khaitan, MD

APPOINTMENT LINE
For surgery referrals, please call 216-844-0065.
For gastroenterology referrals, please call 216-290-2058.
For hospital transfers, please call 216-844-1111.

Conditions Treated
Barrett’s esophagus
Esophageal cancer
Achalasia
Paraesophageal hernia
Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Therapies
Endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection for the staging and treatment of early esophageal cancers
Minimally invasive esophagectomy
Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia
Full range of manometry, 24-hour pH Bravo probe and impedence testing
Endoscopic and surgical therapies for GERD using transoral fundoplication and LINX system
Endoscopic stent placement and surgery for strictures

Distinguishing Features
Multidisciplinary care of esophageal cancer, including interventional gastroenterologists, minimally invasive surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists
First in Northeast Ohio to perform minimally invasive esophagectomy
Lowest esophagectomy mortality rate in the nation
First in the region to offer per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of achalasia
Leading Center in Barrett’s Esophagus Translational Network, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute Esophageal Disease Program


About UH Cleveland Medical Center
At the core of University Hospitals’ $4 billion health system is UH Cleveland Medical Center, ranked among America’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. UH Cleveland Medical Center is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, including cancer, pediatrics, women’s health, orthopedics, radiology, neuroscience, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, digestive health, transplantation and genetics. Its main campus includes UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital, Ohio’s only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University.