Analysis of the National Cancer Database Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the United States

The National Cancer Database was queried regarding esophageal squamous cancer cases from 2004-2013, and over 11,000 patients were identified. Definitive chemoradiotherapy was used in 79%, whereas resection was employed in 21% at some phase of therapy. Resection alone and definitive chemoradiotherapy were associated with increased mortality compared to neoadjuvant therapy followed by resection. Higher volume centers (>20/year) had better survival than other centers regardless of therapy.