Open AccessNeoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer
Author(s) -
Rachit D. Shah,
Anthony Cassano,
James P. Neifeld
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
world journal of gastrointestinal oncology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1948-5204
DOI - 10.4251/wjgo.v6.i10.403
Subject(s) - medicine , esophageal cancer , malignancy , radiation therapy , chemotherapy , neoadjuvant therapy , surgery , adenocarcinoma , disease , incidence (geometry) , cancer , oncology , breast cancer , physics , optics
Esophageal cancer is increasing in incidence more than any other visceral malignancy in North America. Adenocarcinoma has become the most common cell type. Surgery remains the primary treatment modality for locoregional disease. Overall survival with surgery alone has been dismal, with metastatic disease the primary mode of treatment failure after an R0 surgical resection. Cure rates with chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone have been disappointing as well. For these reasons, over the last decade multi-modality treatment has gained increasing acceptance as the standard of care. This review examines the present data and role of neoadjuvant treatment using chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery for the treatment of esophageal cancer.