Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus: controversies and consensus.

Esophageal cancer, the sixth most common cause of cancer globally, is characterized by the development of early systemic metastatic disease. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is more common in the West. Preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is employed for locally advanced disease with contemporary studies suggesting higher rates of curative resection and reduced rates of local recurrence with the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy given prior to surgery. The role of targeted agents and PET scan imaging in preoperative therapy is under active investigation.