[Current status of esophageal neoplasms. I]

In Europe, carcinoma of the esophagus is a relatively rare disease with an annual mortality rate of 4-7 deaths per 105 inhabitants. Institution of appropriate therapy for esophageal carcinoma depends mainly on accurate diagnosis and staging. Computed tomography displays the anatomy of the esophagus and mediastinum with a high degree of accuracy and is a good method of assessing extra-esophageal spread of carcinoma. Preoperative nutritional support may reduce operative mortality and morbidity in high-risk patients. Today there is still no alternative to resection of the carcinoma. Esophagogastrectomy with (cervical) esophagogastrostomy with or without thoracotomy is the treatment of choice for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Prognosis is still poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. If resection is technically impossible, an endoesophageal tube can be inserted or a bypass procedure carried out to increase the quality of life with near normal ability to swallow. Radiotherapy can be used when surgery primarily is not applicable for medical reasons or is refused. Preoperative radiotherapy does not produce statistically significant short- or long-term benefit in the management of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy or combination chemotherapy have so far been insufficiently tested and cannot be recommended today for routine use. A combined modality approach is promising but needs further evaluation.