Esophageal Cancer Survivor Cautions, “Don’t Ignore Symptoms of Acid Reflux”

For decades, Diamond Bar father Jonathan Ro had experienced bouts of acid reflux, but he chalked up his discomfort to a simple case of indigestion.

“I had chronic acid reflux symptoms for years and just figured that’s the way it is, and I just dealt with it,” said Jonathan.

In November of 2024, at age 55, Jonathan’s physician suspected he had been suffering from chronic reflux and ordered an upper endoscopy. He discovered a small lesion and performed a biopsy.

A few days after his son’s wedding in December, the results of his endoscopy revealed cancerous cells in the lower esophagus. He was diagnosed with Stage 1 esophageal adenocarcinoma, a rare cancer.

“When I received the news, I was with my wife in the office,” said Jonathan. “It was such a shocking and numbing experience that I had to take some time to process.”

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, esophageal cancer affects nearly 18,500 people annually, most of them men. Often found in advanced stages, it can be difficult to treat – but it is one of the most preventable cancers. Research shows that healthy lifestyle habits can play a significant role in lowering esophageal cancer risk.

As he was coming to terms with the news, Jonathan frantically began researching which specialists could treat his condition. His health plan member representative looked through his network and found only a few physicians capable of the operation he might need. They referred him to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) thoracic surgeon Dongning Zhang, MD, PhD.

Jonathan scheduled his first visit with Dr. Zhang but couldn’t make the appointment and ended up canceling. Dr. Zhang personally called him right back and advised him that he really shouldn’t wait any longer.

“I cannot think of very many times a doctor took the effort to reach out to the patient to encourage them to come in,” said Jonathan. “I was impressed that she expressed such genuine concern about my condition and that signaled to me she was going to be a good doctor.”

Trained in the latest minimally invasive surgical methods, Dr. Zhang spoke with Jonathan about his treatment options. After assessing his condition, Dr. Zhang determined that she would need to perform an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, which involves removing part of the damaged tissue in the esophagus and reconstructing the digestive system. This of course made Jonathan feel apprehensive about the procedure and how it would affect his digestive system and lifestyle, but he trusted that this was the best option.

Prior to minimally invasive surgery, esophageal cancer patients had to have ribs removed and undergo invasive open chest surgery to remove cancerous growths in the esophagus. The process was painful, and the recovery was long, but minimally invasive procedures now offer patients shorter recovery times and less complications.

“Often, esophageal cancer doesn’t have symptoms in the early stages, which makes it difficult to detect,” said Dr. Zhang. “It was urgent to start treatment immediately to ensure Jonathan had a good outcome.”

In mid-February Jonathan underwent his robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy through a small incision on the side, in front of the abdomen and upper chest. The procedure went well, and his cancer was removed.

After being discharged from the ICU one week after his surgery, Jonathan was able to go home. Though he had pain for a couple of weeks and had to be on a feeding tube for 18 hours a day, he had the support of his wife to help him through the recovery process. Once the feeding tube was finally removed and Jonathan reached one month out of his surgery, the pain subsided, and he was able to return to regular activities.

“From A-Z, pre-op to post-op, everyone was very professional,” said Jonathan. “The team there was very kind, top notch. The nurses especially – PVHMC has the best nurses. I just cannot thank them enough. I feel so, so fortunate and blessed.”

Due to his procedure, he has had to modify his diet and eat smaller portions more frequently throughout the day. Since the surgery, Jonathan has lost almost 50 pounds, which has led to his blood pressure normalizing. At his six-month scan, he had no signs of cancer.

“Dr. Zhang is an absolute gem,” adds Jonathan. “I am grateful that PVHMC has the ability to perform this amazing, lifechanging operation. I give my heartfelt thanks to them all.”

Looking back, Jonathan wishes he would have addressed his acid reflux. He cautions others to take symptoms seriously and to see their doctor in hopes that taking pre-emptive measures can spare people from a cancer diagnosis and save lives.

Symptoms of acid reflux can include:

• Heartburn – a burning feeling in your chest or closer to your stomach
• Regurgitation – food or liquids that backwash from your stomach to your throat. You may have a sour taste in your mouth.
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Dysphagia – difficulty swallowing food or liquids
• Asthma symptoms – chronic coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
• *Symptoms may be worse at night, while lying down, bending over or after a large meal

Talk to your doctor if you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of acid reflux. Find a compassionate, experienced doctor in your neighborhood by visiting www.pvhc.com.