Improving outcomes in patients with oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. In this Review, the authors highlight advances made across the disease continuum that have improved the management and outcomes of patients with oesophageal cancer. These advances include an increased understanding of the disease biology, improvements in screening, the development of minimally invasive endoscopic monitoring and management technologies, refinement of surgical techniques and perioperative management, and novel radiotherapy and systemic therapy approaches. Continual multidisciplinary efforts across all these aspects of care will further improve patient outcomes. The care of patients with oesophageal cancer or of individuals who have an elevated risk of oesophageal cancer has changed dramatically. The epidemiology of squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus has diverged over the past several decades, with a marked increase in incidence only for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Only in the past decade, however, have molecular features that distinguish these two forms of the disease been identified. This advance has the potential to improve screening for oesophageal cancers through the development of novel minimally invasive diagnostic technologies predicated on cancer-specific genomic or epigenetic alterations. Surgical techniques have also evolved towards less invasive approaches associated with less morbidity, without compromising oncological outcomes. With improvements in multidisciplinary care, advances in radiotherapy and new tools to detect minimal residual disease, certain patients may no longer even require surgical tumour resection. However, perhaps the most anticipated advance in the treatment of patients with oesophageal cancer is the advent of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, which harness and enhance the host immune response against cancer. In this Review, we discuss all these advances in the management of oesophageal cancer, representing only the beginning of a transformation in our quest to improve patient outcomes.

Automated summary

Oesophageal cancer is a common malignancy with significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in disease understanding, screening, monitoring technologies, surgical techniques, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy have improved patient outcomes. The development of minimally invasive diagnostic technologies based on cancer-specific genomic or epigenetic alterations has the potential to enhance screening. Less invasive surgical techniques and immune-checkpoint inhibitors also hold promise in improving treatment. This review discusses these advances and highlights the ongoing transformation in oesophageal cancer management.