Staging of upper GI malignancy

Imaging plays a vital role in the management of oesophageal cancer including diagnosis, staging and follow up. Computerised tomography (CT) is used for staging and follow up, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) having only a limited role. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides optimal information for tumour extent and local nodal involvement. Functional imaging using 2-(18)fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is increasingly being used to provide unique information and, when combined with anatomic imaging, will provide better staging information for the extent of metastases and perhaps response to treatment.