From the Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
Authors disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.
Address reprint requests Christopher G. Willett, MD, Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710; e-mail: christopher.willett{at}duke.edu
Overview: Esophageal carcinoma is an uncommon cancer, accounting for approximately 1% of all malignancies and 6% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Although significant advances have been made in the staging and clinical treatment of patients with esophageal cancer, the outcome for these patients remains bleak. Five-year survival rates for esophageal cancer are approximately 11%, with a median survival rate of 9 months. This review highlights contemporary and future treatment strategies in patients with localized esophageal cancer.