Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a review and update

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus is an often-lethal disease that most commonly presents in an advanced stage with dysphagia in elderly patients. Known risk factors include alcohol and tobacco abuse, lye stricture, and achalasia. Screening protocols for high-risk patients are practiced in Japan but not in the United States. The diagnosis usually is made based on the results of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and contrast upper gastrointestinal radiographs. Staging is determined using computed tomography scanning and esophageal ultrasound, the latter rapidly being accepted as a superior method. Treatment is based on the stage of disease at presentation. Lesions without metastatic spread or mediastinal invasion generally should be treated with esophagectomy. Dysphagia associated with advanced lesions is difficult to treat, but may be palliated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, laser ablation, peroral dilation, or esophageal stenting. Despite numerous medical advances, little headway has been made in managing and treating SCC, and a multidisciplinary approach is recommended.