Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
He examines your symptoms -trouble swallowing, chronic heartburn, unexplainable loss of weight, chest or epigastric pains-and explains the risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, GERD and Barretts esophagus.
A flexible camera is thin and it is inserted in your mouth to view the esophagus and belly lining to check whether they have any abnormal growths or inflammation.
When performing endoscopy, Dr. Pothuri obtains small tissue samples to undergo microscopic testing so that it can be ascertained that there are cancerous or precancerous cells.
Combining endoscopy with ultrasound, EUS accurately measures how deep a tumor has invaded the esophageal wall and assesses nearby lymph nodes.
Usually used with ultrasound EUS combined with endoscopy, EUS is more precise in determining the degree of invasion of a tumor of the esophageal wall, as well as in examining the lymph nodes adjacent to the esophagus.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
The symptoms of esophageal cancer may include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), persistent heartburn, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms may develop gradually and should be evaluated promptly by Dr. Pothuri for accurate diagnosis and management.
Yes. While esophageal cancer is more common in men, women can also be affected. Risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, chronic acid reflux (GERD), and Barrett’s esophagus apply to both genders.
Diagnosis typically involves an upper endoscopy with biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer cells. Additional tests such as computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) help determine the tumor’s size, spread, and lymph node involvement.
During treatment, you may need to modify your diet to include soft or moist foods and avoid spicy, acidic, or excessively hot meals. Dr. Pothuri and the nutrition team will personalize your diet plan to make swallowing easier and ensure adequate nutrition.
Most patients stay in the hospital for about 3–5 days following surgery. Recovery usually takes 4–6 weeks, during which dietary guidelines and follow-up visits are essential to monitor progress and ensure healing.
Yes. Depending on the stage of the disease and overall health, non-surgical options include endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Absolutely. GastroDoxs offers comprehensive care, including nutritional counseling, patient support groups, coordinated care services, and access to a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, oncologists, and nutritionists to support every step of treatment and recovery.
