ABSTRACT
Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) combines endoscopy and 5-12 MHz frequency
ultrasonography to give an evaluation of the different layers of the esophageal wall and
adjacent structures outside the wall. The addition of fine needle aspiration (FNA) has
enhanced the accuracy of cancer staging. Accurate staging of esophageal cancer is essen-
tial to guide therapy. In the study by Clarke et al. (1) positive nodal metastases were
present in 33% of intramucosal tumors, 67% of intramural tumors, and 89% of transmural
tumors. It is also important to know the status of the celiac nodes before operation, because
celiac metastases indicate a very poor prognosis.
