The Section of Thoracic Surgery at UMHS has multiple researchers studying esophageal diseases. Much of the focus of the section is on esophageal cancer, including understanding the causes of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, developing markers that can be used for early detection, and developing new methods of treating those conditions. The section has also conducted many studies assessing factors associated with favorable outcomes following esophageal surgery.