Smernice za zdravljenje bolnikov z rakom požiralnika in ezofagogastričnega stika (EGS)

Oesophageal cancer is a relatively rate tumor with high mortality. It is most frequent in men in their sixties or seventies. In the past years, a constant increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and esophagogastric juncture (EGS) has been observed in the West. This can probably be attributed changing lifestyle with increases obesity incidence and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The latest, 7th review of the TNM Classification classifies both – cancer of the esophagus and cancer of the esophagogastric juncture – as oesophageal cancer. In a select group of patients this disease is curable, however the treatment is long, usually combined and with high morbidity that can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life. Due to the specific anatomy, cancer of the esophagus and cancer of the esophagogastric juncture develop metastasis early, and the prognosis is worse compared to other gastrointestinal cancers.