Carcinoma oesophagus--overview and update of literature

Oesophageal cancer is one of the most challenging pathological conditions confronting the surgeon. With advances in imaging techniques, correct evaluation is possible pre-operatively, which helps in planning of treatment and thereby improving overall survival. Treatment now-a-days is multimodality, but still surgery remains the mainstay of the treatment. Usually very less number of patients are amenable to surgical resection and in remainder, palliative treatment remains the primary aim of treatment. Chemoradiation has got some role as in some seen recent trials. Novel drugs, which target at molecular level, are in research phase at present.