Management of esophageal carcinoma.

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is a devastating disease and among the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Despite advances in chemotherapy and radiation techniques, tumor stage at the time of presentation is the most important predictor of patient survival. Surgical resection offers the only curative treatment currently employed and transhiatal, transthoracic and en bloc esophagectomy are all standard surgical procedures used in the treatment of this disease. The Surgical Oncology Service of the West Virginia University Hospital favors the transhiatal approach since it offers lower morbidity and mortality without compromising survival when compared with transthoracic and en bloc esophagectomies.