Esophageal cancer. Radiologic staging.

Multimodality therapy is used in patients with esophageal cancer because accurate tumor staging is essential to determine whether treatment should be directed toward cure or palliation. Imaging strategies must not only include tumor visualization but also incorporate pretreatment staging as the most important objective. This article reviews the use of CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound, and barium studies in the staging of esophageal cancer.