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Esophageal Cancer

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Apr.13.2023

Esophageal Cancer

Synopsis

Key Points

  • Esophageal cancer is any of several upper gastrointestinal tract cancers originating in the esophagus or esophagogastric junction; it often presents as locally advanced disease with poor prognosis
    • Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma account for most cases (more than 95%) r1
  • Most common symptom is difficulty or pain in swallowing
  • Careful assessment of history with regard to risk factors and physical examination are critical to diagnose illness at earliest possible opportunity
  • Initial diagnostic evaluation is upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy with biopsy
  • Accurate staging information obtained by CT, PET, PET-CT, and endoscopic ultrasonography is important for prognosis and determining treatment options
  • Management varies by histologic subtype, stage of disease, and medical fitness of patient
    • Multidisciplinary team is recommended to determine optimal management
    • Modalities can include endoscopic therapy, esophagectomy, chemoradiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and palliative interventions
  • Potential complications include esophageal obstruction, tracheoesophageal fistula with chronic aspiration, aortoesophageal fistula, and anastomotic leak
  • Prognosis depends on cancer stage at diagnosis

Pitfalls

  • Failure to monitor Barrett esophagus for progressive dysplasia poses risk of delayed diagnosis of neoplasia c1

Terminology

Clinical Clarification r2

  • Esophageal cancer is any of several upper gastrointestinal tract cancers originating in the esophagus or esophagogastric junction
    • Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma account for most cases (more than 95%) r1
  • Often presents as locally advanced disease with poor prognosis

Classification

  • Cell of origin r3
    • Squamous cell carcinoma
      • Arises in squamous epithelial cells of inner lining of esophagus
      • Typically originates in proximal to middle esophagus
      • May be more sensitive to chemotherapy, chemoradiation therapy, and radiation therapy than adenocarcinoma, although long-term outcomes appear comparable r2
    • Adenocarcinoma
      • Arises in glandular/secretory epithelial cells that line esophagus
      • Occurs mainly in distal esophagus and esophagogastric junction
      • May be associated with better long-term prognosis after resection than squamous cell carcinoma r2
  • Staging
    • TNM staging classification (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma) r4
      • Primary tumor (T)
        • TX: cannot be assessed
        • T0: no evidence of primary tumor
        • Tis: high-grade dysplasia (malignant cells confined to epithelium by basement membrane)
        • T1: tumor invades lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, or submucosa
          • T1a: tumor invades lamina propria or muscularis mucosae
          • T1b: tumor invades submucosa
        • T2: tumor invades muscularis propria
        • T3: tumor invades adventitia
        • T4: tumor invades adjacent structures
          • T4a: tumor invades pleura, pericardium, azygos vein, diaphragm, or peritoneum
          • T4b: tumor invades other adjacent structures (eg, aorta, trachea, vertebral body)
      • Regional lymph nodes (N)
        • NX: regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
        • N0: no regional lymph node metastasis
        • N1: metastasis in 1 or 2 regional lymph nodes
        • N2: metastasis in 3 to 6 regional lymph nodes
        • N3: metastasis in 7 or more regional lymph nodes
      • Metastasis (M)
        • M0: no distant metastasis
        • M1: distant metastasis
      • Histologic grade (G)
        • GX: grade cannot be assessed
        • G1: well differentiated
        • G2: moderately differentiated
        • G3: poorly differentiated or undifferentiated
    • Location (L): position of tumor epicenter in esophagus in squamous cell carcinoma r4
      • X: location unknown
      • Upper: cervical esophagus to lower border of azygos vein
      • Middle: lower border of azygos vein to lower border of inferior pulmonary vein
      • Lower: lower border of inferior pulmonary vein to stomach, including esophagogastric junction
    • Prognostic stage groups r4
      • Clinical (cTNM): newly diagnosed, not treated patients
        • Squamous cell carcinoma
          • Stage 0: TisN0M0
          • Stage I: T1, N0 to N1, M0
          • Stage II:
            • T2, N0 to N1, M0
            • T3N0M0
          • Stage III:
            • T3N1M0
            • T1 to T3, N2, M0
          • Stage IVA
            • T4, N0 to N2, M0
            • Any T, N3, M0
          • Stage IVB: any T, any N, M1
        • Adenocarcinoma
          • Stage 0: TisN0M0
          • Stage I: T1N0M0
          • Stage IIA: T1N1M0
          • Stage IIB: T2N0M0
          • Stage III:
            • T2N1M0
            • T3, N0 to N1, M0
            • T4a, N0 to N1, M0
          • Stage IVA:
            • T1 to T4a, N2, M0
            • T4b, N0 to N2, M0
            • Any T, N3, M0
          • Stage IVB: any T, any N, M1
      • Pathologic staging (pTNM): for patients undergoing resection without prior treatment
        • Squamous cell carcinoma
          • Stage 0: Tis, N0, M0, G (grade) inapplicable, any L (location)
          • Stage 1A:
            • T1a, N0, M0, G1, any L
            • T1a, N0, M0, GX, any L
          • Stage IB:
            • T1a, N0, M0, G2 to G3, any L
            • T1b, N0, M0, G1 to G3, any L
            • T1b, N0, M0, GX, any L
            • T2, N0, M0, G1, any L
          • Stage IIA:
            • T2, N0, M0, G2 to G3, any L
            • T2, N0, M0, GX, any L
            • T3, N0, M0, any G, L: lower
            • T3, N0, M0, G1, L: upper/middle
          • Stage IIB:
            • T3, N0, M0, G2 to G3, L: upper/middle
            • T3, N0, M0, GX, any L
            • T3, N0, M0, any G, L: X
            • T1, N1, M0, any G, any L
          • Stage IIIA:
            • T1, N2, M0, any G, any L
            • T2, N1, M0, any G, any L
          • Stage IIIB:
            • T2, N2, M0, any G, any L
            • T3, N1 to N2, M0, any G, any L
            • T4a, N0 to N1, M0, any G, any L
          • Stage IVA:
            • T4a, N2, M0, any G, any L
            • T4b, N0 to N2, M0, any G, any L
            • Any T, N3, M0, any G, any L
          • Stage IVB: any T, any N, M1, any G, any L
        • Adenocarcinoma
          • Stage 0: Tis, N0, M0; G (grade) inapplicable
          • Stage 1A:
            • T1a, N0, M0, G1
            • T1a, N0, M0, GX
          • Stage 1B:
            • T1a, N0, M0, G2
            • T1b, N0, M0, G1 to G2
            • T1b, N0, M0, GX
          • Stage 1C:
            • T1, N0, M0, G3
            • T2, N0, M0, G1 to G2
          • Stage IIA:
            • T2, N0, M0, G3
            • T2, N0, M0, GX
          • Stage IIB:
            • T1, N1, M0, any G
            • T3, N0, M0, any G
          • Stage IIIA:
            • T1, N2, M0, any G
            • T2, N1, M0, any G
          • Stage IIIB:
            • T2, N2, M0, any G
            • T3, N1 to N2, M0, any G
            • T4a, N0 to N1, M0, any G
          • Stage IVA:
            • T4a, N2, M0, any G
            • T4b, N0 to N2, M0, any G
            • Any T, N3, M0, any G
          • Stage IVB: any T, any N, M1, any G
      • Postneoadjuvant therapy (ypTNM): for patients who have received preoperative therapy
        • Squamous cell carcinoma
          • Stage I: T0 to T2, N0, M0
          • Stage II: T3, N0, M0
          • Stage IIIA: T0 to T2, N1, M0
          • Stage IIIB:
            • T3, N1, M0
            • T0 to T3, N2, M0
            • T4a, N0, M0
          • Stage IVA:
            • T4a, N1 to N2, M0
            • T4a, NX, M0
            • T4b, N0 to N2, M0
            • Any T, N3, M0
          • Stage IVB: any T, any N, M1
        • Adenocarcinoma
          • Stage I: T0 to T2, N0, M0
          • Stage II: T3, N0, M0
          • Stage IIIA: T0 to T2, N1, M0
          • Stage IIIB:
            • T3, N1, M0
            • T0 to T3, N2, M0
            • T4a, N0, M0
          • Stage IVA:
            • T4a, N1 to N2, M0
            • T4a, NX, M0
            • T4b, N0 to N2, M0
            • Any T, N3, M0
          • Stage IVB: any T, any N, M1
    • Classification of esophagogastric junction tumors
      • Siewert classification r2
        • Applies to adenocarcinomas at or near esophagogastric junction
        • Type I: adenocarcinoma of distal esophagus, in which center of lesion is 1 to 5 cm above esophagogastric junction
        • Type II: true carcinoma of cardia, in which center of lesion is between 1 cm above and 2 cm below esophagogastric junction
        • Type III: subcardial carcinoma, in which center of lesion is 2 to 5 cm below esophagogastric junction but extends to junction or into esophagus from below
      • American Joint Committee on Cancer and Union for International Cancer Control define anatomic boundary between esophagus and stomach as follows: r4
        • Tumors involving esophagogastric junction with epicenter no more than 2 cm into proximal stomach are staged as esophageal cancers
        • Tumors with epicenter located more than 2 cm into proximal stomach are staged as stomach cancers, even if esophagogastric junction is involved

Diagnosis

Clinical Presentation

History

  • Early stages of esophageal cancer may be asymptomatic c2
  • Patients may report a long history of heartburn from gastric reflux r5c3
  • Dysphagia, with or without unintentional weight loss, is most common presentation of esophageal cancer r1c4
  • Early symptoms
    • May be subtle and nonspecific
    • Pain or difficulty swallowing solid food and eventually liquids c5c6
    • Weight loss
      • Unintended loss of 10% or more body weight in preceding 3 to 6 months r1c7
  • Late symptoms
    • Pain, burning sensation, or chest discomfort when swallowing c8c9c10
    • Coughing or hoarseness c11c12
    • Halitosis c13
    • Sudden onset of hiccups is common when tumor spreads to diaphragm c14c15

Physical examination

  • In most cases, physical examination is unrevealing; cervical lymphadenopathy may be palpable r1c16
  • Hepatomegaly may be found in advanced disease c17

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes

  • Specific causes of esophageal cancer are unknown, but several factors are known to increase risk of developing the disease c18

Risk factors and/or associations

Age
  • Adenocarcinoma of esophagus typically presents in patients older than 50 years r1c19
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus typically presents in patients aged 60 to 70 years r1c20
  • Esophageal cancer is rare in young people r5c21c22
Sex
Genetics
  • Although various genes are associated with esophageal cancer, no single specific mutation is known to be involved in most esophageal cancers r5c25
  • Several hereditary cancer risk syndromes are associated with increased risk for esophageal carcinoma r2c26
    • Tylosis: rare autosomal dominant syndrome caused by mutations in RHBDF2 gene (rhomboid 5 homolog 2) c27
    • Bloom syndrome: rare autosomal recessive syndrome caused by mutations in BLM gene (RECQL3; BLM RecQ like helicase) c28
    • Fanconi anemia: autosomal recessive disorder that may be caused by mutations in various genes of the Fanconi anemia complementation group (eg, FANCA, FANCC, FANCG, FANCD2) c29
    • Familial Barrett esophagus: rare autosomal dominant susceptibility associated with various germline mutations c30
Ethnicity/race
  • Adenocarcinoma
    • More prevalent in White populations than in Black populations r7c31c32
    • Predominant subtype in North America and Europe
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
    • More prevalent in Black populations than in White populations r7c33c34
    • Predominant subtype outside the United States (90% of cases worldwide); highest rates in China, central Asia, and eastern and southern Africa r1
Other risk factors/associations r8
  • Squamous cell carcinoma r9
    • Tobacco use (associated with 3- to 7-fold increased risk) c35
      • Risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma is dramatically reduced after smoking cessation
      • Smoking cessation does not significantly reduce risk for developing adenocarcinoma
    • Excessive alcohol consumption (associated with 3- to 5-fold increased risk) c36
    • Esophageal diverticula c37
    • Caustic injury to esophagus c38
    • Frequent consumption of extremely hot beverages c39
    • Plummer-Vinson syndrome c40
    • History of head and neck cancer c41c42
    • Achalasia r10
    • Exposure to thoracic radiation r10
    • Tylosis (nonepidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma) r10
  • Adenocarcinoma r9
    • Most common risk factor is obesity (considered causal association) c43
      • Visceral fat is more closely associated than BMI c44
    • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (increases risk of developing adenocarcinoma by 5-fold) c45
      • Barrett esophagus is one of the most common predisposing risk factors c46
    • Tobacco use (associated with 2-fold increased risk) c47
    • Previous use of β-blockers, anticholinergic agents, or aminophylline c48c49c50
    • Mutations of enzymes that metabolize alcohol (eg, loci at PLCE1, C20orf54, ADH1B, and ALDH2) in combination with alcohol consumption and smoking r10
    • Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with reduced risk r11
  • Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma
    • Achalasia r5c51
    • Mediastinal radiation r3c52
    • Diet high in red meat, fat, and processed foods r5c53c54

Diagnostic Procedures

Primary diagnostic tools

  • Evaluation begins with patient history, including symptoms (eg, dysphagia, weight loss) and risk factors, and careful physical examination (although findings thereof are usually unremarkable) r3c55
  • Perform upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy with biopsy as initial diagnostic evaluation r1r2c56
    • Evaluates for presence and location of neoplasia and allows for biopsy of suspicious lesions
    • Double-contrast barium esophagography is optional; it is reserved for patients who cannot undergo endoscopy r1r2c57c58
  • Patients whose biopsy shows histologic evidence of malignancy undergo further evaluation for staging
    • Obtain CBC and comprehensive chemistry panel r2c59c60
    • Perform CT of chest and abdomen for evidence of metastasis; may be extended to pelvis if clinically indicated r12c61c62
    • If CT results are negative for evidence of metastasis, obtain PET scan to evaluate for occult metastases not detected by CT r12r13c63
      • Superior to CT for detecting distant metastatic disease r1
      • FDG-PET-CT evaluation (skull base to mid-thigh) is useful technique for initial staging r2r13c64
        • Improves detection of stage IV disease and lymph node staging
    • In the absence of metastatic disease, perform endoscopic ultrasonography r2r12
      • Recommended for better locoregional tumor staging; perform before any treatment r12c65
      • Combination with fine-needle aspiration of suspicious nodes for cytology assessment provides greater accuracy in metastatic evaluation than endoscopic ultrasonography alone r2c66
    • Endoscopic mucosal resection should be performed for small nodular lesions (2 cm or smaller) to provide accurate staging of early-stage cancers; it may also be curative r2c67
    • If esophageal lesion is at or above level of carina and no evidence of metastatic disease is found, perform bronchoscopy; obtain endobronchial biopsies if suspect lesions are observed r2r12c68c69
    • In suspected metastatic disease, obtain tissue biopsy in at least 1 suspect site to confirm metastasis r3c70
    • Perform the following testing for patients with documented or suspected metastatic or inoperable disease to aid in choosing chemotherapeutic agents: r2r14
      • HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) expression c71
      • Microsatellite instability or mismatch repair testing c72c73
      • PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) protein expression c74
      • Next generation sequencing; including NTRK fusion testing and tumor mutational burden
    • Laparoscopy, with or without peritoneal washings, may be useful for detection of radiographically occult metastatic disease involving peritoneum or diaphragm in select patients, especially in locally advanced adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction r11c75

Laboratory

  • CBC and comprehensive chemistry profile r2c76c77
    • Establish baseline values before decisions about surgery and/or chemotherapy; may suggest metastasis r1
      • CBC can evaluate for anemia
      • Elevated hepatic transaminase or alkaline phosphatase levels may be evidence of liver or bone metastasis, respectively c78c79c80
  • HER2 biomarker testing (ERBB2; human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) r2c81c82
    • Useful in patients with inoperable locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic adenocarcinoma
    • Assess for overexpression by immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridization c83c84
    • Influences selection of chemotherapy agents

Imaging

  • CT scan of chest and abdomen r15c85c86c87c88c89c90
    • Obtained for staging, with and without oral and IV contrast material
    • Aids in investigating the possibility of distant metastatic disease, such as:
      • Lung or liver metastases c91
      • Celiac, aortic, or retroperitoneal lymph node spread
    • May be extended into pelvis if clinically indicated and in cases of adenocarcinoma r16
  • FDG PET-CT scan r2c92
    • Alternative to CT for initial staging r13
    • Recommended if metastatic disease is not evident on CT scan
      • More sensitive than CT at detecting metastatic disease r13c93
    • Useful in evaluating response to chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy
  • Endoscopic ultrasonography r1c94
    • Recommended for patients who appear to have early localized disease (no distant metastasis)
      • Can provide prognostic information and guide therapeutic options
      • More accurate than CT or PET to determine extent of tumor invasion and nodal involvement
    • May be combined with fine-needle aspiration of adjacent lymph nodes for cytology to increase diagnostic accuracy c95c96

Procedures

Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy c97
General explanation
  • Fiberoptic examination of esophagus and stomach c98
  • Useful in diagnosis, staging, treatment, and surveillance of esophageal cancer r2
  • Determines presence and location of esophageal neoplasia; the following are noted: r2
    • Detailed description of length, circumferential involvement, and degree of obstruction
    • Location relative to teeth and esophagogastric junction
  • Biopsies of suspicious lesions are taken for histologic interpretation r2c99
    • Cytologic brushing or washings are typically inadequate for initial diagnosis
  • For small nodular lesions (2 cm or smaller), endoscopic resection is performed to measure depth of invasion more accurately, and it is also potentially curative c100
Indication
  • Initial evaluation of dysphagia or follow-up of barium esophagogram c101c102c103
Contraindications
  • Esophageal stricture precluding passage of scope
Complications
  • Bleeding
  • Aspiration
  • Perforation
Interpretation of results
  • Histologic analysis distinguishes between benign and malignant lesions and characterizes malignant lesions as squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma
  • Molecular pathology assessment includes PD-L1 and HER2 status r11
Bronchoscopy c104
General explanation
  • Bronchofiberscope is passed through nose or mouth, down trachea, and into lung
  • Lung tissue is visually examined
  • Biopsies of abnormalities and cytology of washings are obtained
    • Sterile saline is injected into lung, then aspirated and collected for analysis
Indication
  • Need for visual examination of tracheal and alveolar tissue in cases in which esophageal lesion occurs at level of carina r2
Contraindications
  • Patient is unable to support ventilation during procedure
Complications
  • Fever
  • Bronchospasm or bronchoconstriction
  • Hypoxia
  • Pneumothorax
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Laryngeal edema, injury, or spasm
Interpretation of results
  • Visual and/or histopathologic evidence of tumor
Endoscopic ultrasonography c105
General explanation
  • Endoscope fitted with linear-plane sonographic probe is passed into esophagus and stomach
Indication
  • Perform before any treatment to provide evidence of depth of invasion of tumor, presence of abnormal lymph nodes, and possibly signs of distant metastasis r2
Contraindications
  • Esophageal stricture precluding passage of scope
Complications
  • Aspiration
Interpretation of results
  • Identifies mediastinal and perigastric lymph nodes
    • Appearance of enlarged, hypoechoic, rounded, well-circumscribed, homogeneous structures in these areas identifies inflammatory or malignant nodes
  • Findings indicate whether lesion is apparently confined to esophagus or whether there is evidence of regional extension
Laparoscopy c106
General explanation
  • Fiberoptic laparoscope is inserted through small incision in abdominal wall for inspection of extraluminal surfaces of esophagogastric junction, stomach, and adjacent organs
  • Peritoneal fluid is collected for cytology, and any suspicious lesions are biopsied c107c108c109c110
Indication
  • Consider in patient with adenocarcinoma for staging of advanced, clinical stage T3 or node-positive tumors r2
  • Consider for detection of radiographically occult metastatic disease in select patients, especially patients with Siewert type II or III tumors of esophagogastric junction r2
Complications
  • Perforation or laceration
  • Peritonitis
  • Bleeding
Interpretation of results
  • Evidence of metastatic disease, including positive cytology findings in peritoneal fluid, may limit treatment options and worsen prognosis r2

Differential Diagnosis

Most common

  • Benign stricture c111
    • Esophageal narrowing that may result in difficulty swallowing
    • Associated with long history of heartburn
    • Like esophageal cancer, may cause dysphagia and/or pain; optical endoscopic appearance may resemble that of malignant esophageal cancer
    • Differentiated by biopsy showing absence of malignant structures
  • Achalasia c112d1
    • Rare inability to properly relax the lower esophageal sphincter, preventing food from moving to stomach
    • Dysphagia is common to both conditions c113
    • Patients with achalasia are more likely to have halitosis and to regurgitate retained esophageal contents
    • Differentiated by esophagography and/or endoscopy showing absence of obstructive tumor or inflammation; manometry shows characteristic dysfunction of lower esophageal sphincter and impaired esophageal motility
  • Barrett esophagus c114d2
    • Replacement of healthy esophageal epithelium with metaplastic columnar cells as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease
    • Presents with long-standing reflux, as do many esophageal cancers; dysphagia is rare
    • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy is required to diagnose Barrett esophagus and to differentiate from esophageal malignancy
      • Because Barrett esophagus predisposes to malignancy, the 2 conditions may coexist
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis c115d3
    • Characterized by dense esophageal eosinophilia with severe squamous epithelial hyperplasia occurring in association with esophageal symptoms
    • Principal symptoms are dysphagia and food impaction
    • Differentiated by characteristic histopathologic findings on biopsy of esophageal mucosa (including more than 15 eosinophils per high-power field)

Treatment

Goals

  • For a localized tumor, the goal of treatment is cure
  • For a metastatic tumor, the goals are:
    • Slow disease progression
    • Ease symptoms
    • Improve quality of life

Disposition

Admission criteria

  • Patients requiring esophageal resection

Recommendations for specialist referral r2

  • Multidisciplinary team is recommended to determine optimal management; it typically includes medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists; radiologists; gastroenterologists; and pathologists
  • Referral to supporting services, such as social workers, palliative care specialists, and nutritional services, may also be beneficial
  • Referral to cancer geneticist is recommended for those with known high-risk syndrome associated with esophageal cancers

Treatment Options

Treatment options depend on histologic subtype (squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma), stage at diagnosis, and medical fitness of patient r1

Consider preoperative nutritional support via nasoduodenal or jejunostomy tube; percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is not recommended r2

Patients may be classified into 2 groups after initial workup: r2

  • Locoregional cancer (stages I-III)
    • Can be subclassified by medical fitness after additional evaluation (eg, nutritional, cardiac, and pulmonary studies):
      • Medically fit for surgery
      • Nonsurgical candidate
  • Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cancer (stage IV)

Locoregional cancer

  • Medically fit for surgery
    • Offer multimodality therapy to most patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma r17
      • Surgery alone may be considered for patients with clinical earlier-stage esophageal cancer (T2N0)
    • Primary treatment for patients with squamous cell carcinoma r2
      • Endoscopic therapy (endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection), with or without ablation r18
        • Preferred treatment option for most superficial lesions (Tis or T1a tumors); may also be considered for T1b lesions that have a low risk of metastasis (ie, smaller than 2 cm, localized to superficial submucosa, well differentiated, and without lymphovascular invasion)r18
        • Ablation alone is option for Tis lesions
      • Esophagectomy
        • Patients with extensive Tis or T1a disease, especially nodular disease not adequately controlled by ablation or endoscopic resection with or without ablation, and those with T1b to T2, N0, low-risk, well-differentiated lesions smaller than 2 cm are candidates for esophagectomy alone
      • Preoperative chemoradiation therapy or chemoradiation therapy alone (without surgery) r17
        • Patients with T1b, N1 to N3 tumors and locally advanced resectable tumors (T2-T4a, any N) should undergo preoperative chemoradiation therapy r19
        • Definitive chemoradiation therapy is preferred for patients who decline surgery and those with unresectable T4b tumors
          • Chemotherapy alone is considered with invasion of trachea, great vessels, vertebrae, or heart r2
        • Fluoropyrimidine- or taxane-based regimens are recommended for preoperative and definitive chemoradiation therapy
          • Preoperative chemoradiation therapy r2c116
            • Preferred regimens (fluorouracil can be replaced with capecitabine)
          • Definitive chemoradiation therapy r2c121
            • Preferred regimens (fluorouracil can be replaced with capecitabine)
        • Postoperative fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiation therapy is indicated for patients with positive margins on resection who did not receive preoperative chemoradiation r2
    • Primary treatment of adenocarcinoma r2
      • Endoscopic therapy (endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection), with or without ablation
        • Preferred treatment option for most superficial lesions (includes Tis-T1b, N0 tumors)
        • Ablation alone is option for Tis lesions
      • Esophagectomy r2
        • Patients with extensive Tis, T1a, or superficial T1b disease, especially nodular disease not adequately controlled by ablation or endoscopic resection with or without ablation, and those with T1b to T2, N0, low-risk, well-differentiated lesions less than 2 cm are candidates for esophagectomy alone
      • Preoperative chemoradiation therapy or perioperative chemotherapy r17
        • Patients with T1b, N1 to N3 lesions and locally advanced resectable tumors (T2-T4a, any N) should undergo preoperative chemoradiation therapy before esophagectomy
        • Perioperative or preoperative chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy is also an option
          • Adenocarcinomas are significantly less sensitive to radiation therapy than squamous cell carcinoma; chemoradiation therapy may offer no benefit over chemotherapy alone followed by surgery r20
        • For adenocarcinoma of thoracic esophagus or esophagogastric junction only: r2
          • Perioperative chemotherapy
            • Preferred regimens (3 cycles preoperative; 3 cycles postoperative)
              • Fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel (only if patient medically fit) c128c129c130
              • Fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin c131c132
          • Preoperative chemotherapy (2 cycles)
        • Postoperative chemoradiation therapy is indicated for patients with positive margins on resection who did not receive preoperative chemoradiation r2
      • Definitive chemoradiation therapy is preferred for unresectable T4b tumors (same regimens as squamous cell)
        • Chemotherapy alone is considered with invasion of trachea, great vessels, or heart r2
      • Fluoropyrimidine- or taxane-based regimens are recommended for preoperative and definitive chemoradiation therapy (same regimens as squamous cell)
    • Postoperative treatment options are based on surgical margins, histology, and nodal status r2
      • After neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy and surgery, offer nivolumab to patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 0 to 1 who did not experience a pathological complete response r21
      • For patients with squamous cell carcinoma, no postoperative treatment is needed if no residual disease at surgical margins (R0 resection)
      • For patients with adenocarcinoma who have not received preoperative therapy, postoperative fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiation therapy or chemotherapy is recommended after R0 resection for patients with node-positive tumors, and it may be considered in those with node-negative T2 tumors with high-risk features, as well as those with T2, T3, and T4a tumors
      • All patients with residual disease at surgical margin should be treated with postoperative fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiation therapy only if radiation therapy not received preoperatively
  • Nonsurgical candidates (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma) r2
    • Endoscopic therapy (endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection), with or without ablation, is recommended for patients with Tis to T1b, N0 tumors; ablation alone is an option for Tis lesions
    • Definitive chemoradiation therapy (fluoropyrimidine- or taxane-based) is preferred for technically resectable locally advanced cancer (T2-T4a, any N) in patients able to tolerate treatment
      • Other options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or supportive care
    • Palliative radiation therapy or best supportive care are appropriate options in patients unable to tolerate chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy

Unresectable or metastatic disease r2

  • Decision to use best supportive care alone or with chemotherapy depends on performance status, comorbidities, and toxicity profile r2
    • Performance status scales are commonly used to assess functional impairment, to compare effectiveness of therapies, and to assess prognosis
      • Karnofsky performance status scale r22
        • Ordered scale with 11 levels (0-100) based on health status; low scores are associated with severe illness and poor survival r2
      • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status scale (from ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group) r23
        • 5-point scale (0-4) based on level of symptom interference with normal activity; higher scores correlate with poor performance status r2
    • Patients with Karnofsky performance status of 60% or more or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or less may be offered systemic therapy and/or best supportive care
    • For patients with Karnofsky performance status less than 60% or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 3 or more, offer palliative, best supportive care only
  • First line therapy with 2-drug chemotherapy is preferred r2
    • 3-drug regimens are typically reserved for medically fit patients with good performance status and access to frequent toxicity monitoring
      • Both nivolumab and pembrolizumab, in addition to chemotherapy, improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with PD-L1– positive tumors r24r25r26
        • The US Food and Drug Administration has approved pembrolizumab and nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy for patients with metastatic or locally advanced esophageal carcinoma who are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation r27r28
      • Preferred regimens if HER2-overexpression negative
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine), oxaliplatin, and nivolumab r29r30
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine), cisplatin, and nivolumab (for squamous cell carcinoma) r31
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine), oxaliplatin, and pembrolizumab
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine), cisplatin, and pembrolizumab
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine) and oxaliplatin
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine) and cisplatin
        • Nivolumab and ipilimumab (for squamous cell carcinoma) r29r32
    • Add trastuzumab to first line chemotherapy for HER2-overexpressing advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma r2r33
      • Preferred regimens if HER2-overexpression positive
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine), oxaliplatin, and trastuzumab c135c136c137c138
        • Fluoropyrimidine (fluorouracil or capecitabine), cisplatin, and trastuzumab c139c140c141c142
        • Pembrolizumab may be added to above regimens, irrespective of PD-L1 expression r29r34
  • Second line or subsequent therapy choices depend on prior therapy and performance status; no specific regimen is currently supported r2
    • Preferred options r2
      • Paclitaxel with ramucirumab (for adenocarcinoma) c143
      • Nivolumab (for squamous cell carcinoma)
      • Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan (for HER2 overexpression–positive adenocarcinoma)
      • Docetaxel c144c145
      • Paclitaxel
      • Irinotecan c146c147c148
      • Fluorouracil and irinotecan
      • Trifluridine and tipiricil (third line for adenocarcinoma of esophageal-gastric junction) c149
      • Entrectinib or larotrectinib (for NTKR gene fusion–positive tumors) r2c150c151
      • Pembrolizumab r2c152
        • Preferred second line therapy in squamous cell carcinoma with PD-L1 expression of 10% of more
        • An option for tumors with MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high), deficient mismatch repair, or high tumor mutation burden (10 or more mutations/megabase)
      • Dostarlimab for tumors with MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high), deficient mismatch repair, or high tumor mutation burden (10 or more mutations/megabase)
      • Dabrafenib and trametinib for BRAF V600E mutated tumors
      • Selpercatinib for RET gene fusion–positive tumors

Drug therapy

  • Drug Therapy: Esophageal CancerData from Accord Healthcare, Inc.: Carboplatin Injection. Drug Label Information. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated April 13, 2020. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=48aa7ef3-9f44-2a08-e054-00144ff88e88; Celltrion USA, Inc.: Capecitabine 150MG- Capecitabine Tablet, Film Coated. Capecitabine 500MG- Capecitabine Tablet, Film Coated. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated November 7, 2019. Accessed April 4, 2023.https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=56ada01c-b033-4108-85e5-ebe5f2bd9ee9; Accord Healthcare, Inc.: Fluorouracil Injection, Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated September 9, 2020. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=66d451fe-2436-494c-80c5-4528c8e34369; Genentech, Inc.: Herceptin Hylecta- Trastuzumab And Hyaluronidase-Oysk Injection, Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated October 19, 2020. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ebf30894-41cf-480c-8bc3-56f592a13813; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Enhertu- Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan-Nxki Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated February 8, 2023. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7e67e73e-ddf4-4e4d-8b50-09d7514910b6; Genentech, Inc.: Rozlytrek- Entrectinib Capsule. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated June 8, 2020. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c7c71b0c-2549-4495-86b6-c2807fa54908; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Vitrakvi- Larotrectinib Capsule Vitrakvi- Larotrectinib Solution, Concentrate. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated December 6, 2022. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0c8ca614-58b2-4aa4-83d3-0387a8f782fd; Eli Lilly and Company: Retevmo- Selpercatinib Capsule. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated September 21, 2022. Accessed April, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7fa848ba-a59c-4144-9f52-64d090f4d828; Curae Pharma360 Inc.: Docetaxel Anhydrous Injection. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated October 18, 2022. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=84aa26ea-5d61-4a15-9530-7d156c0dc746; Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Paclitaxel Injection. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated October 27, 2022. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0c12c77c-5fd4-48dc-a318-e96892233992; GlaxoSmithKline LLC: Jemperli- Dostarlimab Injection. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated February 9, 2023. Accessed April 7, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=095eab9f-545a-4f12-bfb7-19477fb901a5; Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC: Keytruda- Pembrolizumab Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution Keytruda- Pembrolizumab Injection, Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated March 7, 2023. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9333c79b-d487-4538-a9f0-71b91a02b287; E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.: Yervoy- Ipilimumab Injection. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated February 15, 2023. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2265ef30-253e-11df-8a39-0800200c9a66; Eli Lilly and Company: Cyramza- Ramucirumab Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated November 8, 2022. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c6080942-dee6-423e-b688-1272c2ae90d4; Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC: Camptosar- Irinotecan Hydrochloride Injection, Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated May 11, 2022. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e518dfc6-7e93-4fee-a66c-51e1ab71c056; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Mekinist- Trametinib Tablet, Film Coated Mekinist- Trametinib Powder, For Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated March 16, 2023. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0002ad27-779d-42ab-83b5-bc65453412a1; Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Lonsurf- Trifluridine And Tipiracil Tablet, Film Coated. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated January 19, 2022. Accessed April 4, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f5beed22-d71d-4c0d-8dca-2c7317d65d85; Accord Healthcare: Cisplatin Injection. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated June 8, 2021. Accessed April 7, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b2b029f5-0d7e-4e7f-accc-b722aec34c68; Sandoz Inc.: Oxaliplatin Injection, Solution. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated August 16, 2021. Accessed April 11, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=86f6c19d-30d1-42e3-8d46-5e3f45776e85; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Tafinlar- Dabrafenib Capsule Tafinlar- Dabrafenib Tablet, For Suspension. Updated March 16, 2023. Accessed April 7, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fee1e6b1-e1a5-4254-9f2e-a70e0f8dbdea; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Tafinlar- Dabrafenib Capsule Tafinlar- Dabrafenib Tablet, For Suspension. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated March 16, 2023. Accessed April 7, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fee1e6b1-e1a5-4254-9f2e-a70e0f8dbdea; E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.: Opdivo- Nivolumab Injection. National Library of Medicine DailyMed website. Updated February 15, 2023. Accessed April 11, 2023. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f570b9c4-6846-4de2-abfa-4d0a4ae4e394
    MedicationCommon regimensLife-threatening or dose-limiting adverse reactionsNotable or nonemergent adverse reactionsSpecial considerations
    Alkylating agent - platinum
    Carboplatin• Carboplatin + paclitaxel
    Anaphylaxis
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Nephrotoxicity

    Electrolyte loss
    • Ototoxicity
    • Peripheral neuropathy
    • Secondary malignancy

    Avoid coadministering nephrotoxic or ototoxic agents
    • Ensure adequate hydration
    Cisplatin• Capecitabine + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Cisplatin + irinotecan
    • Fluorouracil + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab

    Anaphylaxis
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Nephrotoxicity
    • Ocular toxicity

    Electrolyte loss
    • Ototoxicity
    • Peripheral neuropathy
    • Secondary malignancy

    Avoid coadministering nephrotoxic or ototoxic agents
    • Ensure adequate hydration
    • Cisplatin has been associated with optic neuritis, papilledema, vision
    loss
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 14 months
    for females of reproductive potential and for 11 months for males with female
    partners of reproductive potential
    Oxaliplatin• Capecitabine + oxaliplatin + nivolumab
    • Capecitabine + oxaliplatin + trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + nivolumab
    • Fluorouracil + oxaliplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • FLOT (fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + docetaxel)

    Anaphylaxis
    • Bleeding
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
    • Pulmonary fibrosis
    • QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias
    • Rhabdomyolysis

    Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Increased hepatic enzymes
    • Peripheral sensory neuropathy
    • Stomatitis

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 9 months for
    females of reproductive potential and for 6 months for males with female
    partners of reproductive potential
    Antimetabolite - nucleoside metabolic inhibitor
    Capecitabine• Capecitabine + oxaliplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Capecitabine + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Capecitabine + oxaliplatin + nivolumab
    • Bone
    marrow suppression
    • Cardiotoxicity
    • Dehydration
    • Dermatologic toxicity
    • Hyperbilirubinemia
    • Renal failure

    Abdominal pain
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue/weakness
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting

    Increased risk of serious or fatal adverse reactions in patients with low or
    absent dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 6 months
    for females of reproductive potential and for 3 months for males with female
    partners of reproductive potential
    Fluorouracil• Fluorouracil + irinotecan
    • Fluorouracil + oxaliplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Fluorouracil + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + nivolumab
    • FLOT (fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + docetaxel)
    • Bone
    marrow suppression
    • Cardiotoxicity
    • Diarrhea
    • Hyperammonemic encephalopathy
    • Mucositis
    • Neurotoxicity
    • Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (hand-foot syndrome)

    Increased risk of serious or fatal adverse reactions in patients with low or
    absent dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 3 months
    for females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of
    reproductive potential
    HER2/neu receptor antagonist
    Trastuzumab• Capecitabine + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Capecitabine + oxaliplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Fluorouracil + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Fluorouracil + oxaliplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab

    Cardiomyopathy
    • Infusion-related reactions
    • Neutropenia
    • Pulmonary toxicity

    Anemia
    • Chills
    • Cough
    • Diarrhea
    • Dysgeusia
    • Fatigue
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Infection
    • Insomnia
    • Mucosal inflammation
    • Nasopharyngitis
    • Nausea
    • Rash
    • Stomatitis
    • Thrombocytopenia
    • Weight loss

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 7 months for
    females of reproductive potential
    HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate
    Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan• Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan monotherapy• Bone
    marrow suppression
    • Cardiomyopathy
    • Interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis

    Alopecia
    • Anorexia
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Fever
    • Hyperbilirubinemia
    • Hypokalemia
    • Increased hepatic enzymes
    • Musculoskeletal pain
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Respiratory infection

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 7 months for
    females of reproductive potential and for 4 months for males with female
    partners of reproductive potential
    Human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4)-blocking antibody
    Ipilimumab• Nivolumab + ipilimumab
    Adrenal insufficiency
    • Colitis
    • Diabetic ketoacidosis
    • Exfoliative dermatitis
    • Hepatitis
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Hypophysitis
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Infusion-related reactions
    • Myocarditis
    • Nephritis
    • Neurotoxicity
    • Ocular toxicity
    • Pneumonitis
    • Thyroiditis

    Anorexia
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Insomnia
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Pruritus
    • Rash
    • Weight loss

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 3 months for
    females of reproductive potential
    Kinase inhibitor
    Dabrafenib• Dabrafenib + trametinib
    Bleeding
    • Cardiomyopathy
    • Dermatologic toxicity
    • Fever
    • New primary malignancy
    • Uveitis

    Alopecia
    • Arthralgia
    • Headache
    • Hyperglycemia
    • Hyperkeratosis
    • Papilloma

    Potential risk of hemolytic anemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate
    dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
    • Effective non-hormonal contraception required during and after therapy
    for at least 2 weeks for females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential
    Entrectinib• Entrectinib monotherapy• Bone
    marrow suppression
    • Heart failure
    • Hepatotoxicity
    • Hyperuricemia
    • Neurotoxicity
    • QT prolongation
    • Skeletal fractures
    • Vision disorders

    Arthralgia
    • Cognitive impairment
    • Constipation
    • Cough
    • Diarrhea
    • Dizziness
    • Dysesthesia
    • Dysgeusia
    • Dyspnea
    • Edema
    • Fatigue
    • Fever
    • Increased hepatic enzymes
    • Myalgia
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Weight gain
    • Drug
    interactions: may need to avoid or adjust dosage of certain drugs
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for at least 5
    weeks for females of reproductive potential and for 3 months for males with
    female partners of reproductive potential
    Larotrectinib• Larotrectinib monotherapy
    Hepatotoxicity
    • Neurotoxicity

    Constipation
    • Cough
    • Diarrhea
    • Dizziness
    • Fatigue
    • Increased hepatic enzymes
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Drug
    interactions: may need to avoid or adjust dosage of certain drugs
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for at least 1
    week for females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of
    reproductive potential
    Selpercatinib• Selpercatinib monotherapy
    Bleeding
    • Hepatotoxicity
    • Hypersensitivity reactions
    • Hypertension
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Impaired wound healing
    • Interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis
    • QT prolongation
    • Tumor lysis syndrome

    Abdominal pain
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Dry mouth
    • Edema
    • Fatigue
    • Headache
    • Hypertension
    • Hypocalcemia
    • Hyponatremia
    • Increased hepatic enzymes
    • Lymphopenia
    • Nausea
    • Rash
    • Drug
    interactions: may need to avoid or adjust dosage of certain drugs
    • Withhold therapy for at least 1 week prior to elective surgery and at
    least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 1 week for
    females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential
    Trametinib• Dabrafenib + trametinib
    Bleeding
    • Cardiomyopathy
    • Colitis and gastrointestinal perforation
    • Dermatologic toxicity
    • Fever
    • Interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis
    • New primary malignancy
    • Retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED)
    • Retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
    • Venous thromboembolism (VTE)

    Diarrhea
    • Hyperglycemia
    • Lymphedema
    • Rash

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 4 months for
    females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of
    reproductive potential
    Microtubule inhibitor
    Docetaxel• Docetaxel monotherapy
    • FLOT (fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + docetaxel)

    Asthenia
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Cystoid macular edema
    • Dermatologic toxicity
    • Diarrhea
    • Edema
    • Enterocolitis and neutropenic colitis
    • Febrile neutropenia
    • Hepatotoxicity
    • Hypersensitivity reactions
    • Infections
    • Neurotoxicity
    • Stomatitis/mucositis
    • Toxic deaths

    Alopecia
    • Anorexia
    • Constipation
    • Dysgeusia
    • Dyspnea
    • Myalgia
    • Nail disorders
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Pain
    • Secondary malignancy
    • Drug
    interactions: may need to avoid or adjust dosage of certain drugs
    • Some docetaxel injection formulations contain alcohol and may impact the
    central nervous system and ability to drive or operate machinery
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 6 months
    for females of reproductive potential and for 3 months for males with female
    partners of reproductive potential
    Paclitaxel• Carboplatin + paclitaxel
    • Ramucirumab + paclitaxel

    Anaphylaxis
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Cardiotoxicity
    • Neurotoxicity

    Alopecia
    • Arthralgia
    • Diarrhea
    • Increased hepatic enzymes
    • Injection site reactions
    • Mucositis
    • Myalgia
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Some
    paclitaxel formulations contain alcohol and may impact the central nervous
    system and ability to drive or operate machinery
    Nucleoside metabolic inhibitor and thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor
    Trifluridine and tipiracil• Trifluridine and tipiracil monotherapy• Bone
    marrow suppression
    • Diarrhea
    • Febrile neutropenia
    • Nausea/vomiting

    Anorexia
    • Asthenia/fatigue
    • Fever
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for at least 6 months for females of reproductive potential and for at least 3 months for males with female partners of reproductive potential
    Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody
    Dostarlimab• Dostarlimab monotherapy
    Adrenal insufficiency
    • Colitis
    • Diabetic ketoacidosis
    • Exfoliative dermatitis
    • Hepatitis
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Hypophysitis
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Infusion-related reactions
    • Myocarditis
    • Nephritis
    • Pneumonitis
    • Thyroiditis

    Anemia
    • Asthenia
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Nausea

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 4 months for
    females of reproductive potential
    Nivolumab• Capecitabine + oxaliplatin + nivolumab
    • Fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + nivolumab
    • Nivolumab + ipilimumab

    Adrenal insufficiency
    • Colitis
    • Diabetic ketoacidosis
    • Exfoliative dermatitis
    • Hepatitis
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Hypophysitis
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Infusion-related reactions
    • Myocarditis
    • Nephritis
    • Neurotoxicity
    • Pneumonitis
    • Thyroiditis

    Abdominal pain
    • Anorexia
    • Arthralgia
    • Asthenia
    • Back pain
    • Constipation
    • Cough
    • Diarrhea
    • Dyspnea
    • Fatigue
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Myalgia
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Pruritus
    • Rash
    • Upper respiratory tract infection
    • Urinary tract infection

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for at least 5
    months for females of reproductive potential
    Pembrolizumab• Capecitabine + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Capecitabine + oxaliplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Fluorouracil + cisplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab
    • Fluorouracil + oxaliplatin +/- trastuzumab +/- pembrolizumab

    Adrenal insufficiency
    • Anaphylaxis
    • Colitis
    • Diabetic ketoacidosis
    • Exfoliative dermatitis
    • Hepatitis
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Hypophysitis
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Myocarditis
    • Nephritis
    • Pneumonitis
    • Thyroiditis

    Abdominal pain
    • Anorexia
    • Constipation
    • Cough
    • Diarrhea
    • Dyspnea
    • Fatigue
    • Fever
    • Myalgia
    • Nausea
    • Pruritus
    • Rash

    Effective contraception required during and after therapy for at least 4
    months for females of reproductive potential
    Topoisomerase I inhibitor
    Irinotecan• Cisplatin + irinotecan
    • Fluorouracil + irinotecan

    • Irinotecan monotherapy

    Anaphylaxis
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Diarrhea
    • Interstitial pulmonary disease
    • Renal failure

    Abdominal pain
    • Alopecia
    • Anorexia
    • Asthenia
    • Constipation
    • Fever
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Weight loss

    Increased risk of neutropenia in patients with reduced UGT1A1 activity
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for at least 6
    months for females of reproductive potential and for 3 months for males with
    female partners of reproductive potential
    Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) antagonist
    Ramucirumab• Ramucirumab + paclitaxel
    Arterial thromboembolic events
    • Bleeding
    • Gastrointestinal perforation
    • Hepatotoxicity
    • Hypertension
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Impaired wound healing
    • Infusion-related reactions
    • Nephrotoxicity and proteinuria
    • Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)

    Abdominal pain
    • Anorexia
    • Ascites
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Hypoalbuminemia
    • Hyponatremia
    • Peripheral edema
    • Nausea
    • Thrombocytopenia

    Withhold therapy for at least 28 days prior to elective surgery and for at
    least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing
    • Effective contraception required during and after therapy for 3 months
    for females of reproductive potential

Nondrug and supportive care

Radiation therapy r2c153c154

  • Modalities include brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy r35c155c156
  • May be used preoperatively, postoperatively, or palliatively
  • Used in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment (chemoradiation therapy)
  • Used alone only for palliation or when patients are unfit to receive chemotherapy

Nutritional therapy r2c157

  • Patients are often malnourished at diagnosis owing to symptoms caused by tumor
  • Malnutrition is associated with poorer cancer treatment outcomes and survival
  • Assess nutritional status and provide nutritional therapy preoperatively r11
  • Early oral feeding may enhance recovery after esophagectomy r36r37c158
  • If intake is less than 1500 kcal/day, consider oral or enteral nutrition r2

Advise smoking cessation and counseling, if indicated r2

Palliative interventions r2r38

  • For dysphagia, which is the most common symptom, palliation is most commonly achieved with placement of esophageal stent r2c159
    • Brachytherapy alone or in addition to stenting is an alternative for esophageal cancer patients with dysphagia and a longer life expectancy r39
  • For esophageal obstruction, options include endoscopic lumen restoration, external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, esophageal dilation, feeding tube placement, or surgery r40
  • Malignant tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistulas may be sealed with self-expandable metal stents r39
  • Bleeding from tumor surface may be controlled with bipolar electrocoagulation or argon plasma coagulation; brisk bleeding related to tumor-related aortoesophageal fistulization may require surgery, external beam radiation therapy, and/or endoscopic therapy

Supportive care

  • Indicated for all patients with locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent disease to improve quality of life and relieve pain c160c161
  • Treat nausea and vomiting according to guidelines for antiemesis by National Comprehensive Cancer Network r41c162
  • Pain is best managed according to guidelines for adult cancer pain by National Comprehensive Cancer Network r40
Procedures
Esophagectomy r2c163c164c165c166
General explanation
  • Surgical removal of esophagus, with gastric pull-through or interposition of portion of jejunum or colon to create conduit
    • Various approaches exist for surgical resection and lymph node dissection
    • Minimally invasive approach is appropriate for many patients and results in fewer complications r42r43
Indication
  • Definitive treatment of more advanced tumors, such as those with submucosal invasion, positive lymph nodes, or involvement of more than one-third of circumference of esophagus r44c167
Contraindications
  • Location less than 5 cm from cricopharyngeus muscle r2
  • Local invasion of unresectable structures r2
  • Widespread metastasis r2
Interpretation of results
  • Histopathology should demonstrate clear surgical margins
Endoscopic therapy c168c169
General explanation
  • Removal of mucosal and submucosal lesions via endoscope while preserving the esophagus itself r45c170
  • Range of definitive approaches, including endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and ablation r40r45r46c171c172c173c174
    • Endoscopic mucosal resection has significantly lower morbidity and mortality compared with esophagectomy r45
    • Ablation methods include radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and photodynamic therapy c175c176c177
  • Palliative therapies include esophageal dilation, tumor ablation, and endoscopic stenting c178c179c180
Indication
  • Preferred for patients with limited early stage disease (Tis and T1a, moderately to well-differentiated tumors, no more than 2 cm) r40
Contraindications
  • Widespread metastasis
Brachytherapy r2c181c182c183
General explanation
  • A sealed radiation source (seed) is placed close to tumor to shrink it c184
Indication
  • Intolerable dysphagia c185
  • Nonresectable tumor c186
Contraindications
  • Tracheal or bronchial involvement
  • Cervical esophagus location
  • Stenosis that cannot be bypassed

Comorbidities

  • Patients with severe cardiac or pulmonary disease may not be able to tolerate esophagectomy r2c187c188

Monitoring

  • All patients require systematic surveillance r2c189
    • Stage-specific recommendations for surveillance after completion of local therapy are available r2
      • Vary according to stage, depth of invasion, and treatment modality
    • General surveillance recommendation for asymptomatic patients: r2c190
      • Complete history and physical examination: c191
        • Every 3 to 6 months for 1 to 2 years, then c192
        • Every 6 to 12 months for next 3 to 5 years, then c193
        • Annually thereafter c194
      • Obtain further studies as clinically indicated (eg, CBC, serum chemistry, endoscopy with biopsy, imaging studies) c195c196c197

Complications and Prognosis

Complications

  • Complications of esophageal cancer r38
    • Dysphagia is most common r2c198
    • Esophageal obstruction, resulting in inadequate nutritional intake, weight loss, regurgitation, and aspiration c199
    • Tracheoesophageal fistula, resulting in chronic aspiration and pneumonia c200
    • Fistulization to pleural space, aorta, or other mediastinal structures
    • Malnutrition
  • Complications of treatment
    • Anastomotic leak, leading to mediastinal and pulmonary infections c201c202c203
    • Postoperative or postirradiation strictures c204c205
    • Aortoesophageal fistula c206c207

Prognosis

  • Esophageal cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies r7
  • Overall 5-year survival rate is 20.6% in the United States r6
  • Approximately 90% of recurrences occur within the first 2 years after completion of local therapy r2
  • Prognosis depends on cancer stage at diagnosis r6
    • For localized cancer (confined to primary site), 5-year survival rate is 47.3%
    • For regionalized cancer (spread to regional lymph nodes), 5-year survival rate is 26.3%
    • For metastatic cancer, 5-year survival rate is 5.7%
  • Adenocarcinoma is associated with better long-term prognosis after resection than squamous cell carcinoma

Screening and Prevention

Screening

At-risk populations

  • Some guidelines recommend screening for precursor conditions (Barrett esophagus or dysplasia) in patients with multiple of the following risk factors for esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma): r47r48r49r50c208
    • Age 50 years or older
    • Male sex
    • White race
    • Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease
    • Hiatal hernia
    • Elevated BMI
    • Intra-abdominal distribution of body fat
    • Tobacco smoking
    • Family history of Barrett esophagus or esophageal cancer
  • Screening for esophageal cancer or precursor conditions (Barrett esophagus or dysplasia) is not recommended for patients in the general population with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease r47r50r51r52

Screening tests

  • Endoscopic surveillance r2c209
    • Chromoendoscopy with Seattle protocol biopsy sampling is the recommended technique for patients with Barrett esophagus who are undergoing screening for dysplasia r53c210c211
    • Frequency is determined by presence and degree of dysplasia on biopsy (ranges from 3 to 5 years)r53

Prevention

  • Cessation of smoking and excessive alcohol intake r10c212c213
  • Abstinence from betel quid chewing r10
  • Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables intake and avoidance of meat, processed food, and very hot beverages r10
  • Early identification, appropriate treatment, and aggressive monitoring of associated conditions (eg, persistent reflux symptoms despite 4- to 8-week course of proton pump inhibitors,r54Barrett esophagusr53) c214c215
    • Although indefinite use of proton pump inhibitors is recommendedr55 for patients with gastroesophageal reflux, evidencer47 does not show that they slow the rate of progression to dysplasia or cancer
    • Endoscopic resection or ablation of Barrett esophagus epithelium reduces the risk of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma r56c216c217
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