title: A neoadjuvant approach to esophageal cancer.
abstract: Patients with symptomatic esophageal cancer represent a significant challenge to the thoracic clinician, whether medical oncologist, surgeon, or radiation therapist. Historically, cure has been rare and palliation has been a more realistic goal. Surgery was often viewed as radical or risky as limited long-term survival was weighed against expected operative morbidity and mortality. Epidermoid tumors were minimally responsive to available chemotherapy. Primary radiotherapy achieved similar overall survival; however, recurrent dysphagia limited its palliative benefit.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: DeCamp
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Sugarbaker
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged