MRI of the esophagus

Many patients with esophageal cancer are treated with chemoradiotherapy, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy, before their surgery. The chemoradiation often shrinks the tumor. In a small number of patients, there are no more malignant cells found in the tumor tissue that was removed during surgery. These patients may be able to avoid surgery altogether. We currently can't accurately identify the patients whose tumors have disappeared after chemoradiation.

MRI may be able to contribute to tumor imaging. We hope to be able to identify patients who have responded well to the treatment. A select group of patients may be spared from surgical procedures.