Nursing care of patients with esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer is an uncommon but aggressive disease with the potential for early metastasis. The majority of patients will present with metastatic disease, and treatment is usually palliative. This affects the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient and family. The nurse plays a crucial role in the care of these individuals and, therefore, needs a current and in-depth understanding of the disease, its treatment, and its nursing management.