The standard approaches of surgery or radiotherapy cure only a minority of patients with esophageal cancer. Because of these poor results and the frequent systemic pattern of recurrences, combined-modality therapy employing chemotherapy has been extensively studied. Preoperative chemotherapy, both alone and given concurrently with radiation, has not shown a significant impact on survival and remains investigational. Concurrent chemoradiation as definitive therapy is an alternative to surgery for localized disease. Paclitaxel and vinorelbine have significant activity as single agents in metastatic disease. Paclitaxel is currently under investigation in combination therapy for metastatic disease, as a radiosensitizer for locally advanced disease, and as preoperative therapy. For palliation of locally advanced esophageal cancer, a variety of endoscopic techniques are available to relieve dysphagia. Laboratory studies have identified growth factor pathways and tumor-suppressor genes as potential new pharmacologic targets.
