Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus has a lower incidence than other gastrointestinal tract cancer; however, there are many difficult issued related to the choice of appropriate therapy for these patients. In recent years, the use of multimodal treatment has greatly improved the prognosis of patients affected by this disease but several aspects of the oncological and surgical management are still controversial. This book aims to give a homogeneous approach to esophageal cancer treatment, based on the author's lifetime experience in conjunction with exhaustive review of recent literature. In each chapter surgeons and oncologists will find appropriate tools for correct management of the diagnosis and therapy of this difficult disease. The book analyzes all the aspects of staging and treatment, such as modern diagnostic and staging techniques (MRI or PET-CT), endoscopic treatment of early cancer, new minimally invasive and open surgical techniques, and combined treatment. In addition, there are chapters dedicated to the postoperative course of these patients, as well as their quality of life, with indications for the correct follow-up and treatment of relapses.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I: Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx and Cervical Esophagus
Chapter 1. Epidemiology
Chapter 2. Classification and Staging Systems
Chapter 3. Preoperative Work-up: Conventional Radiology; Ultrasonography, Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Chapter 4. Preoperative Work-up: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) and Tracheobrochoscopy
Chapter 5. Preoperative Work-up: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and PET CT
Chapter 6. Multimodal Treatment: Indications and Early and Long-term Results
Chapter 7. Surgical Treatment: Indications and Early and Long-term Results
Chapter 8. Diagnosis and Treatment of Recurrences
Chapter 9. Problems with Rehabilitation after Pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy

SECTION II - Carcinoma of the Thoracic Esophagus
Chapter 10. Epidemiology
Chapter 11. Classification and Staging Systems
Chapter 12. Diagnosis and Staging
1.Conventional Radiology, Computed Tomography (CT) Scan, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
2.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS), and Tracheobronchoscopy
3.Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and PET CT
4.Work-up after Neoadjuvant Treatment
5.Clinical Practice: How to Stage Esophageal Cancer (Flow-chart)
Chapter 13. Neoadjuvant Treatment (Chemotherapy/Chemoradiotherapy)
Chapter 14. The Role of PET CT in Prediction of the Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment
Chapter 15. The Role of Molecular Biology in Prediction of the Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment
Chapter 16. Controversial Issues in Esophageal Cancer: Surgical Approach and Lymphadenectomy
Chapter 17. Treatment Choices in Patients Aged over Eighty Years
Chapter 18. Esophageal Cancer Surgery: the Importance of Hospital Volume
Chapter 19. Patient Selection according to General Condition and Associated Disease
Chapter 20. Treatment of Resectable Esophageal Cancer: Indications and Long-term Results
Chapter 21. Treatment of Unresectable and Metastatic Esophageal Cancer: Indications and Long-term Results
Chapter 22. Early Results: Morbidity, Mortality, and Treatment of Complications
Chapter 23. Treatment of Recurrences
Chapter 24. Role of Endoscopy in Palliative Treatment
Chapter 25. Follow-up and Quality of Life after Esophagectomy

SECTION III. Operative Technique
Chapter 26. Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy with Two-field Lymphadenectomy
Chapter 27. Mc-Keown Esophagectomy with Three-Field Lymphadenectomy
Chapter 28. Transhiatal Esophagectomy without Thoracotomy
Chapter 29. Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy
Chapter 30. Total Esophagectomy with Larynx Preservation
Chapter 31. Pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy