Pearls and Pitfalls
The aim of any diagnostic procedure is to identify the R0-resectable patient population.
Topographic-anatomic localization and histologic proof of an esophageal cancer with endoscopy and biopsy is the essential diagnostic step.
For squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, exclusion of a tracheo-bronchial fistula is required by esophageal contrast radiography, spiral computed tomography (CT), or bronchoscopy.
Exclusion of distant metastases is best achieved with multislice spiral CT and/or positron emission tomography (PET).
Diagnostic laparoscopy is the standard in advanced adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus before embarking on multimodal approaches.
The evaluation of the N-category before therapy remains a difficult and unreliable criteria for evaluation.
T-category stage in esophageal cancer is best evaluated with endoscopic ultrasonography and is necessary for decision-making for further neoadjuvant, multimodal approaches.
Synchronous carcinoma of the upper...
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Siewert, J.R., Feith, M. (2009). Esophageal Cancer: Diagnosis and Staging. In: Bland, K.I., Büchler, M.W., Csendes, A., Sarr, M.G., Garden, O.J., Wong, J. (eds) General Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-833-3_44
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