CD44v6和组织蛋白酶D表达与食管癌预后的关系

目的　研究CD4 4v6和组织蛋白酶D(cathepsinD ,CD)表达与食管癌生物学行为的关系。方法　应用免疫组化法 ,检测 6 5例食管鳞状细胞癌组织中CD4 4v6和CD表达水平。结果　在食管癌中CD4 4v6和CD表达阳性率分别为 5 8.5 %和 6 4 .6 %。CD4 4v6和CD表达均与肿瘤分级、浸润、淋巴结转移和预后相关。结论　CD4 4v6和CD异常表达与食管癌的病理生物学行为密切相关 ,可作为是预测食管癌转移潜能和评估食管癌预后的客观指标     

Pleural dissemination of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors after an eight-year interval following the primary surgery

A 71-year-old man who had undergone surgical resection of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) through a right posterolateral thoracotomy 8 years earlier was referred for treatment of an anterior mediastinal mass discovered on a follow-up chest radiograph in October 2007. Computed tomography findings revealed a tumor, 82 × 49 mm, with calcification, in the anterior mediastinum. When we radically resected the tumor via a median sternectomy, we found that it was actually located in the pleural cavity, and there was a small nodule near the main tumor on other pleura. Microscopically, the tumor was comprised of uniform spindle cells with fibrillary eosinophilic cytoplasm. In addition, immunostaining showed that the tumor was positive for CD117 (c-kit). The diagnosis was pleural dissemination of esophageal GISTs 8 years after primary surgery, making this the first report of pleural dissemination of esophageal GISTs after such a prolonged postsurgical interval.     

食管癌组织中CD15抗原和组织蛋白酶D的表达及其意义

目的;探讨CD15抗原和组织蛋白酶D(Cath-D)在食管癌的表达意义及其相互关系。方法:应用微波-LSAB免疫组化法,探讨65例食管癌组织中CD15和Cath-D的表达阳性率及其相互关系。结果:食管癌CD15和Cath-D阳性率分别为58.5％(38/65)和64.6％(42/65)。CD15和Cath-D表达均与肿瘤分级、浸润、淋巴结转移和预后呈显著有关(P均<0.05)。CD15表达与Cath-D表达相关联。结论:食管癌CD15和Cath-D表达对判断其恶性程度、预测其侵袭转移趋势和预后及指导治疗有重要意义。     

Esophageal Schwannoma: Report of a Case

We report a case of esophageal schwannoma in a 46-year-old woman who presented with rapidly progressive dyspnea and dysphagia. Chest computed tomography showed a large mediastinal mass, which was extrinsically compressing the trachea, widely adjacent to the upper thoracic esophagus. We performed an axillary right thoracotomy to enucleate the tumor, which was located in the esophageal muscle layer. A definite diagnosis of esophageal schwannoma was made from the pathologic findings, which included positive immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein and negative staining for c-kit and CD34.     

Successful enucleation of a fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography positive esophageal leiomyoma in the prone position using sponge spacer and intra-esophageal balloon compression

Recently, prone position esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is thought to be an easier and safer procedure. Here, we introduced prone position for enucleation of the fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) positive esophageal leiomyoma. The patient was a 47-year-old man with a 4?cm mid-thoracic esophageal submucosal tumor. The tumor was enucleated safely without injury of the esophageal mucosa under the gravity effect of the prone position with use of a sponge spacer and Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon. Postoperative examination revealed that the tumor was a leiomyoma that was positive for smooth muscle actin and negative for CD117. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on day 7 after the operation. The prone position with use of a sponge spacer and Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon was a safer and easier procedure for the enucleation of the esophageal submucosal tumor.     

Surgical strategy in abnormally increased Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in an asymptomatic lower esophageal submucosal tumor – Report of a case

INTRODUCTION

Leiomyoma is the most common benign tumor of the esophagus (67–80%), it represents 0.4–1% of all esophageal tumors.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

An incidentally discovered gastro-esophageal submucosal tumor was found to have increased fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission computed tomography (PET/CT). After laparoscopic surgical exploration and local enucleation the tumor turned out to be a benign esophageal leiomyoma.

DISCUSSION

There are few reports of esophageal leiomyomas with a positive uptake on (PET/CT) and even fewer adopting our combination of a minimally invasive approach and frozen section examination as a management plan. Our approach avoided excessive morbid surgical resections and underestimation of a malignant disease.

CONCLUSION

We report this case hoping to expand the existing literature on the topic and to highlight the limitations of PET/CT in guiding the diagnosis and subsequently the management of esophageal submucosal tumors.     

CD8+T细胞和调节性T细胞在食管癌中表达及与预后的关系

目的 探讨食管癌组织中CD8+T细胞、Foxp3阳性调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)表达及对预后的影响.方法 应用免疫组织化学SP法检测CD8、Foxp3在90例食管癌组织间质、癌巢中的表达,计数阳性细胞,分析阳性细胞数目与预后的关系.结果 间质中CD8+T细胞的数量与浸润深度、分化程度呈负相关(P<0.05);Foxp3+Treg细胞数量与淋巴结转移、病变长度呈正相关(P<0.05).本组病例3年总生存率66.67%(60/90).单因素生存分析显示,无论癌巢或间质中,CD8+T细胞计数高者的总体生存曲线优于计数低者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);roxp3+Treg细胞计数高者的累计生存情况较计数低者差(P<0.05).多因素分析显示,间质浸润的CD8+T、Foxp3+Treg细胞数量和病变长度是影响生存期的独立因素(P<0.05).结论 间质中浸润的CD8+T细胞数量、Foxp3+Treg细胞数量是影响食管癌患者预后的独立因素,Foxp3+Treg细胞数量增多预后不良,CD8+T细胞数量增多则预后良好.     

Is FDG-PET indicated for superficial esophageal cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is indicated for clinical staging of superficial cancer, we sought to determine if it accurately classifies tumor (T), regional nodal (N), and distant metastases (M), including distinguishing high-grade dysplasia (Tis) from invasive cancer (T1). METHODS: Fifty-eight superficial esophageal cancer patients had preoperative positron emission tomography, 53 (91%) fused with computed tomography. Tumor characteristics, esophagoscopy findings, and pTNM were compared with positron emission tomography cTNM. pT1 was subdivided into intramucosal cancers with lamina propria or muscularis mucosa invasion and submucosal cancers with inner or outer invasion. RESULTS: Fluorodeoxyglucose uptake increased with pT, from 5/11 (45%) for pTis to 11/16 (69%) for pT1 (outer submucosa), P=0.07, as it did for standardized uptake value, median 0 for pTis to 2.7 for pT1 (outer submucosa), P=0.06. Positron emission tomography could not differentiate Tis (5/11, 45%) from T1 (26/47, 55%; P=0.03). Regional nodal fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in three patients (standardized uptake value 2.8, 4.9, 11) was false positive; in six pN1 patients, it was false negative. Positron emission tomography had 0% sensitivity and positive predictive value for N1. There were no distant metastases; one patient developed a pulmonary metastasis 15 months postoperatively. Positron emission tomography detected three (5%) distant hypermetabolic sites, all synchronous tumors (papillary thyroid cancer, adrenal pheochromocytoma, rectal adenoma). Only increasing tumor length was related to greater fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (P=0.004) and higher standardized uptake value (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Because positron emission tomography can neither differentiate pTis from T1 nor classify T, N, and M, it is not indicated in staging superficial esophageal cancer. Finding a synchronous primary tumor in approximately every 20th patient is its only benefit. Better, less expensive screening tools are available for common synchronous malignancies.     

Sentinel Node Navigation Surgery is Acceptable for Clinical T1 and N0 Esophageal Cancer

Background

If the sentinel node (SN) concept is established for esophageal cancer, it will be possible to reduce safely the extent of lymphadenectomy. Our objective was to perform SN mapping in esophageal cancer to assess distribution of lymph node metastases with the goal to reduce the need for extensive lymphadenectomy.

Methods

A total of 134 patients who underwent esophagectomy with lymph node dissection were enrolled. The number of patients with clinical T1, T2, and T3 tumors was 60, 31, and 32, respectively. Eleven patients also received neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT). ^99mTc-Tin colloid was injected endoscopically into the esophageal wall around the tumor 1 day before surgery. SNs were identified by using radioisotope (RI) uptake. RI uptake of all dissected lymph nodes was measured during and after surgery. Lymph node metastases, including micrometastases, were confirmed by hematoxylin eosin and immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Detection rates of SNs were 93.3% in cT1, 100% in cT2, 87.5% in cT3, and 45.5% in CRT patients. In the 120 cases where SNs were identified, lymph node metastases were found in 12 patients with cT1, 18 with cT2, 24 with cT3 tumors, and 3 with CRT. Accuracy rate of SN mapping was 98.2% in cT1, 80.6% in cT2, 60.7% in cT3, and 40% in CRT patients. Although one false-negative case had cT1 tumor, the lymph node metastasis was detected preoperatively.

Conclusions

SN mapping can be applied to patients with cT1 and cN0 esophageal cancer. SN concept might enable to perform less invasive surgery with reduction of lymphadenectomy.

     

Esophageal stromal tumors: a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic study of 17 cases and comparison with esophageal leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas

Although rare elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract, leiomyomas (LMs) are the most common esophageal mesenchymal neoplasms. In contrast, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) predominate in the stomach and intestines but have not been documented in the esophagus. This study was undertaken to determine the clinicopathologic features and frequency of esophageal GISTs compared with LMs and leiomyosarcomas (LMSs) of the esophagus. A total of 68 stromal/smooth muscle tumors from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the Haartman Institute of University of Helsinki were reclassified by current histologic and immunohistochemical criteria. There were 17 GISTs, 48 LMs, and three LMSs. The esophageal GISTs occurred in 12 men and five women with a median age of 63 years (range, 49-75 years). All tumors were from the lowest third of the esophagus, and the most common complaint was dysphagia, whereas two tumors were detected incidentally. Histologically the tumors had an overall basophilic appearance and showed combinations of solid, myxoid, and perivascular collarlike patterns with a spindle cell histology in 13 patients and epithelioid histology in four patients. All tumors were positive for CD117 and for CD34, whereas two patients were also positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and three patients were positive for desmin. One patient showed a unique immunophenotype with coexpression of CD117, CD34, SMA, and desmin. Nine patients died of disease, including all who had a tumor larger than 10 cm, and also one patient whose tumor showed five mitoses per 50 high-power fields. In comparison, esophageal LMs (n = 48) occurred in a younger population (median age, 35 years) but, similar to the GIST group, men predominated (67%). All LMs were clinically indolent tumors with no tumor-related mortality. The LMs showed eosinophilic cytoplasm, and were positive for desmin and SMA, and negative for CD117 and CD34. All three LMSs were large high-grade tumors that showed muscle cell markers but no CD117. All patients died of disease. Esophageal GISTs showed mutations in exon 11 of c-kit as described previously in gastric and intestinal GISTs. The separation of GISTs from esophageal LMs is important diagnostically because the former group has a high risk of malignant behavior.     

Cytokeratin deposits in lymph nodes show distinct clinical significance from lymph node micrometastasis in human esophageal cancers

BACKGROUND: Cytokeratin immunostaining is the most common method used to identify micrometastatic cancer cells from the lymph nodes. However, contamination with hyalinized cytokeratin particles, frequently observed in the lymph nodes of esophageal cancer patients, can lead to misinterpretation of cytokeratin immunostaining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytokeratin immunostaining (AE1/AE3) of surgically removed lymph nodes was performed for 41 cases of node-negative, but locally advanced (T3, T4), esophageal cancer patients. Cytokeratin immunoreactivity (CK) was classified as micrometastasis (MM) or cytokeratin deposit (CD) by the presence or absence of tumor nuclei in serial sections given hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: CK (+) was observed in 18 patients (44%), including 11 with MM (+) (27%) and 10 with CD (+) (24%). There was no correlation between MM and CD, and neither was associated with clinicopathological factors, except for a high incidence of preoperative chemotherapy in CD (+) patients. The presence of CK did not affect postoperative survival of esophageal cancer patients at this limited stage, showing a 5-year survival rate of 57% for CK (+) and 64% for CK (-) (P = 0.6064). Interestingly, patients with MM (+) showed poorer prognosis than MM (-) (5-year survival: 28% vs 79%, P = 0.0188), while CD (+) patients tended to display better prognosis than CD (-) ones (5-year survival: 78% vs 56%, P = 0.1860). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation by cytokeratin immunostaining of lymph nodes requires careful discrimination of CD from MM, in order to allow MM to be used as a prognostic factor for esophageal cancer patients.     

Tumor marker expression is predictive of survival in patients with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the prognostic value of immunohistochemical tumor marker expression in a population of patients with node-negative esophageal cancer treated with complete resection alone. METHODS: Resection specimens were collected from 61 patients with node-negative T1 (n = 31), T2 (n = 14), and T3 (n = 16) esophageal cancer. A panel of 10 tumor markers was chosen for immunohistochemical analysis, based on associations with differing oncologic mechanisms: apoptosis (p53), growth regulation (transforming growth factor-alpha, epidermal growth factor receptor, and Her2-neu), angiogenesis (factor VIII), metastatic potential (CD44), platinum resistance (p-glycoprotein and metallothionein), 5-fluorouracil resistance (thymidylate synthetase), and carcinogenic detoxification (glutathione S-transferase-pi). RESULTS: Complete resection was performed in all patients (44 adenocarcinoma, 17 squamous cell carcinoma), with no operative deaths. Multivariable analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between cancer-specific death and the following variables: low-level P-gp expression (p = 0.004), high-level expression of p53 (p = 0.04), and low-level expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (p = 0.03). In addition, the number of involved tumor markers present was strongly predictive of negative outcome (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the prognostic value of immunohistochemical tumor markers, specifically the expression pattern of P-gp, p53, and transforming growth factor-alpha, in patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with complete resection alone.     

The nature of the myenteric infiltrate in achalasia: an immunohistochemical analysis

Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder characterized by abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and absence of progressive peristalsis in the esophageal body. Previous studies evaluating esophagomyotomy and esophageal resection specimens have shown the presence of myenteric inflammation to be a consistent and early pathologic change in patients with achalasia. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical characteristics of the inflammatory infiltrate within the myenteric plexus in patients with clinically early and end-stage achalasia. Using formalin-fixed tissue, we analyzed the immunohistochemical features of the myenteric lymphocytes using antibodies that recognize B cells (CD20), T cells (CD3), T cell subsets (CD8), and the activation state of T cell subpopulations (TIA-1 and granzyme B) in nine patients with clinically early achalasia who underwent esophagomyotomy and 13 patients with clinically endstage achalasia who underwent esophageal resection. The myenteric infiltrate in all nine esophagomyotomy specimens was composed predominantly of T cells (CD3-positive), the majority of which also stained for CD8. In five of nine specimens, the majority of CD8-positive cells stained for TIA-1. In the esophageal resection specimens, the myenteric infiltrate was composed predominantly of CD3-positive T cells in seven of 13 cases. In three cases, there was a predominance of CD20-positive B cells, and in the remaining three cases there were relatively equal numbers of T and B cells. In eight of 13 cases, the majority of T cells stained for CD8. TIA-1 immunoreactivity was found in the majority of CD8-positive cells in nine of 13 cases. In all esophagomyotomy and esophageal resection specimens studied, rare granzyme B-positive cells were detected. In conclusion, the majority of myenteric inflammatory cells in patients with achalasia are CD3-positive T cells, most of which are also CD8-positive, although the relative percentage of such cells appears to decrease with disease progression. Furthermore, many of the CD3-positive/CD8-positive myenteric lymphocytes also express TIA-1, suggesting they are resting or activated cytotoxic T cells. The immunohistochemical demonstration of granzyme B in a subpopulation of these cells supports the contention that achalasia is an immune-mediated disease, although the inciting antigen remains an enigma.     

Area of nodal metastasis and radioisotope uptake in sentinel nodes of upper gastrointestinal cancer

BACKGROUND: Sentinel node navigation surgery has been introduced for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumor. As few studies have examined relationships between metastatic area and radioisotope uptake in sentinel nodes, the present study examined this relationship for gastric and esophageal cancers. METHODS: Subjects comprised 43 patients (esophageal cancer, n = 19; gastric cancer, n = 24) with < or =3 lymph node metastases in whom sentinel node mapping with radio-guided methods was performed. Radioisotope uptake was measured after surgery for all dissected lymph nodes. Metastatic area was calculated using the following formula: metastatic area (%) = (area of metastasis/total area of lymph node) x 100. Based on radioisotope uptake, lymph nodes were divided into RI(-) and RI(+) groups. RESULTS: In 35 patients, > or =1 metastatic node was present among the sentinel nodes. In 1 patient, no sentinel nodes were detected. No lymph node metastasis was found in sentinel nodes in the remaining seven patients. Lymph nodes were diagnosed as metastatic using preoperative imaging. Mean (+/-SD) metastatic area was significantly higher for RI(-) (68.3 +/- 20.5%) than for RI(+) (15.1 +/- 20.8%; P < 0.0001). Radioisotope uptake was decreased in lymph nodes with >60% metastatic area. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that radioisotope uptake is not detectable in some lymph nodes with >60% metastatic area must be considered when planning sentinel node navigation surgery.     

A case of recurrent esophageal cavernous hemangioma increasing rapidly after surgery

A 40-year-old female was referred to our hospital for dysphagia. A hemangioma measuring 5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm was revealed as a round defect by esophagography and was partially cystic on CT and MRI. Through a neck incision, the esophageal wall on the tumor side was initially opened. The tumor partially adhered to the esophageal wall, but was dissected from the esophageal wall and then resected easilly. Microscopic examination of tumor revealed cavernous hemagioma. Thirty days after the initial surgery, the recurrent tumor was detected in the pharnyx and increased rapidly. Then a second operation was performed. The tumor was completely resected by mucosectomy including normal esophageal mucosa. Recurrence was caused by residual cystic wall of the hemangioma adhering to the esophageal mucosa after the first procedure.     

Esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor surrounding the middle esophagus with dysphagia for 8 years; report of a case

In September 2002, a 24-year-old woman complaining dysphagia with an abnormal shadow in a chest X-ray was admitted to our hospital. Endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a hypo-echoic, low-density mass surrounding the middle esophagus. Bronchofiberscopy and gastrofiberscopy showed compression from the outside of bronchus and esophagus. No ulcer formation was found. Transbronchial aspiration biopsy and esophageal biopsy showed no malignancy. After 14 cm thoractomy, extirpation of the tumor was performed. The solid tumor was 10.5 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm in dimension, and the cut surface of the tumor was light yellow. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for c-kit, SMA, CD34, and S-100. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), combined smooth muscle-neural type. A postoperative upper gastrointestinal tract barium study showed no stenosis. She is doing well without evidence of tumor recurrence at 12 months postoperatively. Although GIST is the most common mensenchymal tumor of the human gastrointestinal tract, this case is reported because the GIST arising from the middle esophagus is very rare.     

Clinical Significance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

To assess the clinical usefulness and significance of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

We examined FDG-PET for 80 consecutive patients with superficial ESCC without neoadjuvant treatment. Fifty-seven patients underwent radical esophagectomy, and 23 patients received endoscopic resection. The FDG uptake index was evaluated with clinicopathological findings, and glucose transporter 1 (Glut-1) expression in primary tumors was examined immunohistochemically.

Results

The FDG uptake in primary tumors correlated with histology, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and Glut-1 expression. All patients with more than 4.4 maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) had deeper invasion of submucosa. Among 16 patients with lymph node metastasis, only two were found to have lymph node metastasis. FDG uptake, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and histology were found to be prognostic factors, and histology was an independent prognostic factor. In FDG uptake–positive patients, depth of tumor invasion and histology were prognostic factors.

Conclusions

FDG-PET is useful for diagnosing tumors with deeper invasion of submucosa and is helpful in making decisions regarding endoscopic treatment for superficial ESCC. Patients with FDG uptake–positive disease, deeper invasion of submucosa, poorly differentiated tumor, and poor prognosis should receive multimodal treatment.     

Metastasis of cancer to cancer: Report of a case of esophageal carcinoma metastasizing to early gastric cancer

A rare case of esophageal carcinoma metastasizing to early gastric cancer is reported herein. A 66 year old man who had experienced dysphagia for 8 months was preoperatively diagnosed as simultaneously having esophageal and gastric cancers. Thus, a lower esophagectomy and total gastrectomy with paraesophageal and paragastric lymph node dissection were performed. The surgical specimen revealed an ulcerative tumor in the lower esophagus and a slightly depressed lesion with a central elevation similar to that of early type IIc+IIa¹ gastric cancer in the upper part of the stomach. Microscopically, the esophageal tumor was revealed to be well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma while the gastric tumor was found to be early gastric cancer with a metastatic focus of esophageal cancer in the center. Though less than one hundred cases of metastasis of cancer to cancer have previously been reported, metastasis from cancer of one digestive organ to that of another digestive organ is very rare. To our knowledge, this report represents the first case of an esophageal carcinoma metastasizing to a gastric carcinoma.     

Enucleation for a giant esophageal leiomyoma; report of a case

A 32-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a mediastinal tumor with mild dysphagia. Computed tomography (CT) showed that the tumor was located in the neck and the posterior mediastinum. An esophagogram demonstrated severe distortion of the esophageal lumen and an endoscopic examination disclosed a submucosal bulge covered by normal mucosa with no erosion and no ulceration. A CT-guided needle biopsy for neck lesion of the tumor was performed and the histopathological diagnosis was an esophageal leiomyoma. Complete enucleation via a left anteroaxillary thoracotomy for the tumor was performed without perforation of esophageal mucosa. The resected tumor was 12 cm in size. The final diagnosis of the resected tumor located in the cervical, upper, middle and intramural esophagus was a rare giant esophageal leiomyoma. Postoperative course was uneventful. We suggested that enucleation with an operative procedure selected carefully for a giant esophageal leiomyoma was attempted for preservation of esophageal function.     

Imaging for esophageal tumors

Carcinoma of the esophagus must be staged accurately before a treatment plan is initiated, and imaging studies play a major role in this process. Imaging for esophageal carcinoma involves evaluation of the locoregional extent of the tumor and distant metastatic disease. A CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen provides the most comprehensive information about esophageal carcinoma; however, accurate assessment of the depth of primary tumor invasion and lymph node status remains limited, even with newer generation scanners. Endoscopic US is a user-dependent modality that has emerged as a highly accurate technique in experienced hands to evaluate the depth of penetration of esophageal tumors, but its ability to detect metastatic lymph nodes is less impressive, leading some investigators to perform confirmatory needle aspiration of suspicious nodes. FDG-PET is a physiologic examination that is the subject of intense investigation in patients who have esophageal carcinoma. Preliminary studies have suggested that FDG-PET can detect otherwise radiographically occult distant metastatic disease in these patients, and changes in FDG uptake might correlate with the response to therapy. These findings need to be confirmed in larger studies. More sophisticated technology continues to be developed for imaging carcinoma of the esophagus, which will more than likely affect staging algorithms in the future.