In Health Watch: Cancer of the esophagus is often curable if caught early.Vivien Williams shows us how doctors at Mayo Clinic are using minimally invasive endoscopies to treat early cancers.Lee Porter knows that his favorite chocolate candies can send him running for the antacids if he eats them at the wrong time.Lee Porter says, "Chocolate is really bad on your heartburn you if you eat it before you go to bed."Years and years of chronic acid reflux not only caused pain, but it may have also caused esophageal cancer. And until recently that meant major surgery - removal of the entire esophagus and the creation of a new one by attaching the stomach to the throat.What's really changed dramatically in the last few years is the development of ways to treat these early cancers through endoscopic procedures without surgery, without making incisions, through a flexible fiber optic endoscope."During the procedure Dr. Michael Wallace lowers an endoscope into the esophagus to the site of the cancer.Dr. Michael Wallace says, 'At the lower end of the esophagus we see this irregular tissue. This is actually the very early form of esophageal cancer."The scope is equipped with technology that can remove the cancer and leave healthy tissue behind. To lee Porter, this option definitely beats the alternative.Lee says, "Oh my goodness gracious, there is no comparison to having your whole esophagus removed."Just a few days after lee's procedure, he was back to normal -- able to eat pretty much anything. Including chocolate candy.Lee says, "I probably shouldn't eat as much as I do, but it's good."For medical edge, I'm Vivien Williams.For more information, visit the Medical Edge Website at our Featured Links.