Evaluation and prediction of response to neoadjuvant treatment in esophageal carcinoma

Although the effect of trimodality(neoadjuvant treatment) on survival rate is contradic tionary,who achieves pathological response can derive a survival benefit Predictive markers of pathological response would be valuable in individualising patient treatment,it would enable discrimination of those patients likely to respond to combination therapy from those likely to be non-responsive and may progress during therapy.Here we review roles of histopathology,functional imaging and molecular markers in predicting response to neoadjuvant treatment. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Neoadjuvant therapy; Prognosis; Pathology