TY - JOUR
T1 - Esophageal carcinoma
T2 - Current controversial topics
AU - Patel, M.
AU - Ferry, K.
AU - Franceschi, D.
AU - Kaklamanos, I.
AU - Livingstone, A.
AU - Ardalan, Bach
PY - 2004/12/31
Y1 - 2004/12/31
N2 - Worldwide, esophageal carcinoma is a common gastrointestinal cancer with a high mortality. The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is increasing in the western world, but squamous cell carcinoma remains dominant in the underdeveloped parts of the world. Both types of esophageal carcinoma remain equally virulent. Currently, there are no optimal preventative screening programs available and most patients present with advanced or metastatic disease. Although many options are available for improving diagnostic accuracy, a single method has not displayed significant advantages over the others. In addition, selecting a superior treatment regimen has not surfaced. Preferred resection techniques exist, but one method has not illustrated improvements in survival over the others. A lack of improved survival rates with single modality therapies has led to a multi modality approach. However, developments in neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies have led to mixed conclusions. Collectively, past studies have not shown an optimal neoadjuvant or adjuvant regimen in terms of survival benefit. This review highlights existing staging modalities and treatment regimens for esophageal carcinoma, in an effort to illustrate the controversial nature surrounding its management.
AB - Worldwide, esophageal carcinoma is a common gastrointestinal cancer with a high mortality. The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is increasing in the western world, but squamous cell carcinoma remains dominant in the underdeveloped parts of the world. Both types of esophageal carcinoma remain equally virulent. Currently, there are no optimal preventative screening programs available and most patients present with advanced or metastatic disease. Although many options are available for improving diagnostic accuracy, a single method has not displayed significant advantages over the others. In addition, selecting a superior treatment regimen has not surfaced. Preferred resection techniques exist, but one method has not illustrated improvements in survival over the others. A lack of improved survival rates with single modality therapies has led to a multi modality approach. However, developments in neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies have led to mixed conclusions. Collectively, past studies have not shown an optimal neoadjuvant or adjuvant regimen in terms of survival benefit. This review highlights existing staging modalities and treatment regimens for esophageal carcinoma, in an effort to illustrate the controversial nature surrounding its management.
KW - Chemotherapy
KW - Esophageal carcinoma
KW - Radiation
KW - Staging
KW - Surgery
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U2 - 10.1081/CNV-200039672
DO - 10.1081/CNV-200039672
M3 - Review article
C2 - 15641488
AN - SCOPUS:10844273353
VL - 22
SP - 897
EP - 912
JO - Cancer Investigation
JF - Cancer Investigation
SN - 0735-7907
IS - 6
ER -