[Challenges and limits for endoscopic resection of oesophageal and oesophagogastric cancer]

There is good evidence for the safety and efficacy of endoscopic treatment for early neoplasia in Barrett's oesophagus and in oesophageal squamous epithelium within defined margins, and this form of therapy is therefore the treatment of choice. With a low morbidity rate, it offers patients a good quality of life with preservation of the organ. The mortality risk is minimal. The decisive element for success is early diagnosis. Oesophageal resection and radiotherapy/chemotherapy are nowadays reserve procedures in the treatment of early oesophageal carcinoma and should only be used in patients in whom the tumour shows defined histological risk factors or endoscopic therapy has failed. Discussion is currently taking place on whether the criteria used to indicate endoscopic therapy for early Barrett's adenocarcinoma can be expanded to include lesions with superficial submucosal infiltration and no additional histological risk factors.