The multidisciplinary management of gastrointestinal cancer. Multimodal treatment of oesophageal cancer

Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2007;21(6):947-63. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2007.10.005.

Abstract

Treatment of oesophageal cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach. Single modality treatment, especially surgical excision, is only indicated in small tumours or in patients unable to support multimodal treatment. In Stage I-II adenocarcinoma, multimodal treatment using neoadjuvant therapy is indicated in the absence of contra-indications. However, this statement is not universally accepted. The choice between radio-chemotherapy and chemotherapy depends on patients' characteristics and the preferences of the treatment centre. In selected Stage III adenocarcinomas, especially from the lower oesophagus, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (with post-operative chemotherapy when feasible) may induce tumour regression, which may facilitate surgical resection and improve survival rates, as has been demonstrated for cancers of the oesophagogastric junction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / radiotherapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Esophagectomy*
  • Humans
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Patient Selection*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Treatment Outcome