[Esophageal cancer].

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is the 6th most common cancer in Japan. For the early cancer without lymph node metastasis, endoscopic resection is commonly performed. Esophagectomy with 3-field lymphadenectomy is the standard therapy for resectable esophageal cancer (stage I - IV). Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard therapy for unresectable esophageal cancer and could also be considered as an option for resectable esophageal cancer. The complications of endoscopic resection are stenosis, perforation, pneumomediastinum, and so on. Major surgical complication are anastomotic leakage, recurrent nerve paralysis, heart failure, respiratory insufficiency. The rates of complications increase after salvage operation, therefore, hospital mortality rate is 7-15%. The serious complications of chemoradiotherapy are late pericardial effusion and pleural effusion.