Endoscopic Management of Esophageal Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Esophageal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. With ongoing innovation in endoscopy and improved understanding of this disease, minimally-invasive endoluminal procedures have served a growing role in diagnosis, treatment, and palliation. In this review article, we discuss the current indications and techniques of endoscopic management of esophageal cancer. ABSTRACT: Advances in technology and improved understanding of the pathobiology of esophageal cancer have allowed endoscopy to serve a growing role in the management of this disease. Precursor lesions can be detected using enhanced diagnostic modalities and eradicated with ablation therapy. Furthermore, evolution in endoscopic resection has provided larger specimens for improved diagnostic accuracy and offer potential for cure of early esophageal cancer. In patients with advanced esophageal cancer, endoluminal therapy can improve symptom burden and provide therapeutic options for complications such as leaks, perforations, and fistulas. The purpose of this review article is to highlight the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis, treatment, and palliation of esophageal cancer.