Esophageal cancer prevention, cure, and palliation

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia are the most rapidly increasing cancers in developed countries. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux, and Barrett's esophagus is a precursor. This disease most frequently affects middle-aged white men. Endoscopic surveillance should be performed on patients with Barrett's esophagus, and esophagectomy is often performed on persons with high-grade dysplasia. Ablation of Barrett's esophagus has been proposed to prevent cancer but the outcomes are unproven. Squamous carcinoma of the esophagus most often affects black men and is associated with alcohol and tobacco use. The diagnosis of esophageal cancer is made by endoscopy with biopsy. Optimal staging is with endoscopic ultrasonography for depth of invasion and regional nodes and CT scanning for distant metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery is widely practiced, but survival benefits remain to be proven. Palliation of dysphagia may be achieved with surgery, radiation therapy, or endoscopic means, with the latter having fewer complications.