title: Chemoradiotherapy in tumours of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction.
abstract: Oesophageal cancer remains a malignancy with a poor prognosis. However, in the recent 10-15 years relevant progress has been made by the introduction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for tumours of the oesophagus or gastro-oesophageal junction. The addition of neo-adjuvant CRT to surgery has significantly improved survival and locoregional control, for both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. For irresectable or medically inoperable patients, definitive CRT has changed the treatment intent from palliative to curative. Definitive CRT is a good alternative for radical surgery in responding patients with squamous cell carcinoma and those running a high risk of surgical morbidity and mortality. For patients with an out-of-field solitary locoregional recurrence after primary curative treatment, definitive CRT can lead to long term survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.c.hulshof@amc.nl.
authors.forename: M C C M
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hulshof
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H W M
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: van Laarhoven
mesh_terms: D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Chemoradiotherapy; Chemotherapy; Gastro-oesophageal junction tumours; Oesophageal cancer; Radiotherapy