Joe's Esophageal Cancer Story | Duke Health

Joseph Mesiano, a 73-year-old avid tennis player from North Raleigh, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2021, after years of monitoring a condition called Barrett's esophagus. After facing delays with his local cancer center, Mesiano called Duke Cancer Center and was promptly scheduled for scans and consultations. Dr. Jacob Klapper, a thoracic surgeon at Duke, told him that he was a candidate for surgery, which is not often the case for those diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Mesiano began chemotherapy and radiation and subsequently underwent a robotic esophagectomy to remove most of his esophagus. His stomach was restructured to restore the digestive tract, ensuring that Mesiano would be able to eat.

Now, two years after his diagnosis, Mesiano remains cancer-free. He credits the care he received at Duke for saving his life and encourages others to seek treatment there.