Updates on the Treatment of Esophageal Cancer

The last two decades have seen an improvement in the survival of patients with esophageal cancer, mostly due to the introduction of neoadjuvant therapy and to a decreased mortality rate, usually achieved by high-volume surgeons who work in high-volume centers.

Esophagectomy has been traditionally an integral part of the treatment for patients with high-grade dysplasia, early or locally advanced cancers. However, this operation, either by a transhiatal or by a transthoracic approach, is usually associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate. Recently, this practice has been revolutionized by the introduction of endoscopic techniques—radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic mucosal resection for patients with high-grade dysplasia and early cancer—and by the introduction of minimally invasive techniques.

In this symposium, experts from the Oregon Health Science University, the University of Chicago, and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill discuss the best approach topatients with early cancer and describe two different techniques for esophageal resection.