Abstract
Taking many factors into consideration, indication for surgery of esophageal cancer is rather difficult to establish. It is of importance to assess invasion to the adventitia.
Diagnosis of stage A3, utilizing X-ray, CT and endoscopic ultrasonography, is discussed. It is possible to get an eighty percent correct diagnosis by the X-ray findings such as the depth of ulceration and the characteristics of the surrounding rim of the tumor besides an esophagotracheal fistula and a clear penetration.
Furthermore, it is possible to observe the relationship of the esophagus to the trachea and the aorta by using an endoscopic ultrasonography and a CT scan.
However, since even these examinations have demerits, a doctor's intuition and sensitivity plays an important part.
The treatment of the cases, in which a resection is inadvisable or impossible, is also discussed.
