title: [Therapeutic decisions in patients with operable, non-metastatic oesophageal cancer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Therapy for oesophageal carcinoma is a subject of controversial debate. The aim of this study is to answer the question how the therapeutic decision in patients with operable, non-metastatic oesophageal cancer should be made.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature research regarding different therapeutic strategies in patients with oesophageal cancer was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple criteria influence the therapy for oesophageal carcinoma. Radical oesophagectomy in a multimodal setting is the therapy of choice. Definitive chemoradiation is a conservative option for high risk patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therapeutic decisions in patients with oesophageal cancer should only be made after standardised staging and accurate risk analysis.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Tumorchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Tumorchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hölscher
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate