Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Recurrence Free Survival

The investigators propose to compare recurrence-free survival in patients having potentially curative (Stages 1-3) surgery for esophageal cancer who will be randomly assigned to propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia or sevoflurane-based balanced general anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria: * Primary esophageal cancer without known extension beyond the esophagus. (i.e. believed to be Tumor Stage 1-3). * Scheduled for potentially curative esophageal cancer surgery. * Written informed consent, including willingness to be randomized to intravenous versus volatile anesthesia. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgery for esophageal cancer (except diagnostic biopsies) Age \85 years old. * ASA Physical Status ≥4. * Any contraindication to propofol or sevoflurane. * Other cancer not believed by the attending surgeon to be in long-term remission. * Systemic disease believed by the attending surgeon to present ≥25% two- year mortality.