esophageal cancer
OVERALL BOTTOM LINE
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The incidence of esophageal cancer has increased in certain populations (e.g. adenocarcinoma in patients with undertreated reflux esophagitis) without much improvement in survival over the past three decades. Five-year survival for all stages is 18%.
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Esophageal cancer bears a large financial burden on the healthcare system, with $1.6 billion spent in 2014 on patients with esophageal cancer in the USA.
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The management of esophageal cancer from initial diagnosis through completion of treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving gastroenterologists, surgeons, and medical and radiation oncologists.
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Multimodality treatment for locally advanced disease generally involves chemoradiation with or without esophagectomy. Additional adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation is considered in certain cases.
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Surgical and nonsurgical options may be appropriate depending on the depth of tumor and/or extent of disease. For example, endoscopic treatment such as endomucosal resection or ablation are appropriate for some early stage tumors.