Racial, Socioeconomic Disparities Affect Access to Thoracic Surgeons for Esophagectomy

A study in the United States found that disparities regarding race, socioeconomic status, and rural location result in lack of access to a thoracic surgeon for an esophagectomy. Patients in the study underwent elective esophagectomy for esophageal or gastric cardia cancer, Barrett esophagus, or achalasia. While the proportion of esophagectomies performed by thoracic surgeons increased over the four-year study period, demographic differences persisted. Patients who were uninsured, identified as non-white, received care in a rural setting, or had metastatic cancer were significantly less likely to have their esophagectomy performed by a thoracic surgeon.