Early esophageal cancer The best curative treatment for early adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is considered to be esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy (3). Esophagectomy is an extensive surgical procedure with a mortality rate ranging between 4.9- 18.0% and risk for serious post-operative complications ranging between 26-41% (6). There are also frequently occurring post-operative complaints such as reflux, diarrhea and dysphagia (3).