Esophageal Cancer

Abstract

• Esophageal cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with squamous cell responsible for 95% of all cases.

• Adenocarcinoma now accounts for over 50% of esophageal cancer in the USA, due to association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity.

• Dysphagia and weight loss are the two most common presentations in patients with esophageal cancer.

• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is necessary to accompany a complete workup for proper staging and diagnosis of esophageal cancer.

• Surgery is the standard of care for early-stage esophageal cancer.

• Preoperative chemotherapy and radiation is the standard option for locally advanced esophageal cancer in surgically eligible patients.

• Pathologic complete response is around 25% after preoperative chemoradiation, which improves survival.

• Definitive chemoradiation cures some patients with esophageal cancer.

• The need to add surgical resection after chemoradiation is controversial, and may not be needed for selected patients.