[Surgery of cancer of the esophagus]

Although the management of oesophageal cancers remains controversial, surgery provides the best chance of cure for patients with limited tumour, through complete resection of the lesion. Surgery can be proposed in 10 to 30% of the cases. Palliative surgery should be avoided. Despite some differences, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma can be considered as closery similar in regard to surgery. Surgery is a locoregional treatment. Distant metastasis, even latent, are probably frequent at the time of diagnosis. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment like chemotherapy with radiotherapy with concomittent radiotherapy, should be useful. The aim of follow-up is to diagnose second primary lesion at a curative state (upper digestive and respiratory tracts, bronchi).