Presentation and Evaluation of Esophageal Carcinoma

Esophageal carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality due to poor prognosis. There has been a rapid rise in the number of new cases as well as the number of deaths due to esophageal cancer in the last few decades. The onset of symptoms in esophageal carcinoma is usually gradual and is dependent upon the site of malignancy. The most common complaint is dysphagia, which is progressive and starts with a solid diet followed by a liquid diet. All patients presenting with dysphagia and a history of weight loss should undergo upper GI endoscopy. The role of endoscopy is to visualize the mucosa of the esophagus and esophagus-gastric junction, as well as the stomach, and if any suspicious lesion is seen. Further investigations are performed after endoscopy. This chapter will explain in detail the evaluation and staging of esophageal cancer.