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Endoscopy 2006; 38: 8-12
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-946643
Invited papers
Esophageal tumors
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Staging stenotic oesophageal tumours: Are CT and/or PET enough? Dilate or not?

J. Meenan1
  • 1Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, London
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Publication History

Publication Date:
26 June 2006 (online)

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Introduction

Strictured oesophageal tumours are difficult for patient and physician alike. An inability to use standard equipment freely, concentrates the mind as to what the purpose of staging is: what information is sought and why?

Long-term survival with oesophageal and proximal gastric tumours is poor and treatment options for locally advanced disease, unsatisfactory. The scramble for incremental improvements in survival results in a large variation in practice, particularly in respect of using neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Disagreement over general management strategy is both reflected in and moulds discussion on how the staging of stenotic lesions might be achieved. First, to address some of the important peripheral issues.

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Dr. John Meenan

Department of Gastroenterology

1st Floor College House

St. Thomas' Hospital

Lambeth Palace Road

London Se1 7EH

Fax: +44 20 71882484

Email: john.meenan@gstt.nhs.uk