Progress in multidisciplinary treatment of resectable esophageal cancer

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in treatment options for patients with esophageal cancer. While surgery remains to be the primary treatment, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, both preoperatively and postoperatively, have become more important in the multidisciplinary treatment of resectable esophageal cancer. Definitive concomitant chemo-radiotherapy may replace surgery as the primary treatment for resectable esophageal cancer. Cisplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil remains the backbone regimen for neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy. Intense researches are underway to investigate new cytotoxic drugs such as taxanes and topoisomerase inhibitor, and new regimens for perioperative treatment of resectable esophageal cancer. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Combined modality therapy; Neoadjuvant therapy