Locoregional and oligometastatic recurrence of esophageal cancer—what are the management strategies?

Over the past few decades, prognosis of esophageal cancer has improved with the advent of multimodality treatment and refinement of surgical techniques and perioperative care. A 5% 5-year survival across all stages was quoted in the 1960s which has evolved to a 20% all stage 5-year survival today (1). Clearly the reality of esophageal cancer is still grim and there is progress to be made. Within the cohort of patients that are operable, nearly 50% of patients will recur (2).