[Progress in the treatment of esophageal and cardial carcinomas (author's transl)].

Progress has been made in the treatment of esophageal and cardial carcinomas in three areas: (1) a special type of esophageal cancer -- the adeno-carcinoma in the columnar lines lower esophagus -- gained more clinical relevance. In the absence of other therapeutical possibilities this type of esophageal cancer is of great importance to surgery. (2) New diagnostic procedures, e.g. computer tomography, make a very good preoperative staging possible. As a result of this staging diagnostic thoracotomy or laparotomy have become avoidable and the surgical procedure can be planned. (3) An adequate preparation of the patient, e.g. by preoperative nutritional support, significantly reduces operative morbidity and mortality.