The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Staging of Esophageal Cancer : Preliminary Report

Shin, Young Jun; Chung, Jae Back; Song, Si Young; Park, Jun Oh; Kang, Jin Kyung; Park, In Suh; Kim, Chung Bae; Han, Ji Young; Park, Chan Il

Abstract

The prognosis of esophageal cancer is poor and strategies for treatment depend on the tumor stage at the time of diagnosis. Surgery is the main therapeutic modality in esophageal cancer and known as the only treatment for cure. Preoperatively it is most important to assess whether the primary tumor is completely resectable or not. Previous staging modality such as CT can not clearly define the depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer which is the most important factor in assessing the possibility of curative resection. Endoscopic ultrasonography is now considered as an useful method in evaluating staging and resectability of esophageal cancer. We compared the findings of endoscopic ultrasonography with pathology result to evaluate the accuracy of this new technique in staging of esophageal cancer in 4 esophageal cancer patients who received surgery among the 23 patients assessed by endoscopic ultrasonography due to esophageal cancer, The depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and staging was correct in 3 among 4 patients. We consider endoscopic ultrasonography is an useful technique in staging of esophageal cancer.