Evolving Perspectives on Esophagectomy Care: Clinical Update

The two predominant histologic subtypes of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, represent 84% and 15%, respectively, of new cases of esophageal cancer globally. Squamous cell carcinoma represents the greater burden of esophageal cancer worldwide, but adenocarcinoma has a disproportionate incidence in high-income regions, such as Northern Europe and North America. Approximately 70% of all esophageal cancers occur in men, who also have higher rates of adenocarcinoma than women.¹  The risk of adenocarcinoma is approximately 8-fold higher in patients with recurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms²  and more than 2-fold higher in patients who are obese³  or who smoke cigarettes.⁴  Squamous cell carcinoma is primarily associated with the synergistic combination of alcohol consumption and tobacco use, as well as poor diet and nutrition (e.g., intake of carcinogenic foods, too few fruits and vegetables, or micronutrient deficiencies). While overall rates of esophageal cancer in the...