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Dr. Brendon Stiles

Patients with esophageal cancer who refuse recommended surgery are less likely to survive long term than similar groups of patients who undergo an operation, according to a recent study presented by �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ researchers at the 54th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. 

“Although it may be tempting for patients to opt for nonsurgical treatment for cardiothoracic diseases in order to avoid the perceived pain and complications of surgery, this choice may come with a price,” senior author Dr. Brendon M. Stiles, an associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ, told the group.

“In our study, we show that even if patients recommended for surgery elect to pursue other treatments, they do more poorly than if they had included surgery as part of their treatment,” he said.

to learn more about the study and its results.