Preoperative diagnosis of esophageal cancer spread.

Results are presented of combined examinations of esophageal cancer patients. Current status and potentialities in preoperative diagnosis of local and metastatic cancer of the esophagus are specified for the following techniques: (1) roentgenological: roentgenoscopy and roentgenography of the esophagus, survey chest X-ray; (2) endoscopic: esophagoscopy and tracheobronchoscopy; (3) X-ray computed tomography (CT): esophageal, chest, hepatic paracardial and retroperitoneal lymph node CT; (4) radionuclide: 67Ca-citrate chest scanning and 99Tc-glucoheptonate scanning of the liver; (5) ultrasound tomography: identification of metastases to paracardial and retroperitoneal lymph nodes and to the liver. The validity of the combined use of the above techniques in preoperative diagnosis of local and metastatic cancer of the esophagus is substantiated, as well as surgical policy based on the information obtained with the above diagnostic examinations.