Bronchoscopic myths and legends: The utility of bronchoscopy in staging esophageal cancer

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is only curable by surgical resection. Appropriate staging of esophageal cancer is essential in identifying which patients might benefit from surgery, while avoiding the associated morbidity and mortality of an esophagectomy in those patients in whom curative resection is not possible. We review the literature regarding the utility of flexible bronchoscopy in staging esophageal cancer. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.