Esophageal cancer.

The important concepts of carcinoma of the esophagus are reviewed in this article. Pathology of malignant esophageal tumors is described and tumor behavior of squamous cell carcinoma is discussed and illustrated. Various classifications and staging methods are reviewed with emphasis placed on the TNM system. The role of current imaging techniques in patients with esophageal carcinoma is presented. Computed tomography is discussed and illustrated in detail. The relative cost effectiveness of these procedures is presented and an imaging approach emphasizing TNM staging is described for patients with known carcinoma of the esophagus. This imaging approach is integrated with the basic aspects of treatment and both curative and palliative pathways are presented. The final section of the article deals with these same concepts in patients with carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction. The important differences between adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction and esophageal carcinoma are described.