Oesophageal Cancer: Latest Developments

Short summaries of recently published approvals, licensing and reimbursement regulations in Turkey, and notable studies in oesophageal cancer. For general information about the disease, see the Oesophageal Cancer page.

• • Promising Studies
  • Congress · ESMO 2026
  • Oesophageal Cancer
  • 23 October 2026

  Close surveillance instead of surgery in oesophageal cancer that disappears after chemoradiotherapy: 5-year results (SANO)

  In locally advanced oesophageal cancer, the standard approach is chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgery (chemoradiotherapy) followed by removal of the oesophagus (oesophagectomy). In some patients the tumour disappears completely on examination and imaging after chemoradiotherapy. In the SANO trial, conducted in the Netherlands, 309 patients in this situation were directed either to close surveillance with regular endoscopy and PET-CT (with surgery if needed) or to standard surgery. At about 6 years of follow-up, the 5-year survival rate was 50% in the surveillance group and 54% in the surgery group, and the difference was not statistically significant. About 43% of patients in the surveillance group were spared surgery that would not have benefited them. On the other hand, spread to distant organs (metastasis) at 5 years was more frequent in the surveillance group (46% vs 29%); this is an important caution. These results suggest that close surveillance is a feasible strategy in selected patients, but it should be considered in experienced centres able to provide strict, regular follow-up, after detailed discussion with the patient. This decision requires joint assessment by medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, gastroenterology, nuclear medicine/radiology and pathology.

  These results are clinical trial data presented at a congress; they do not imply an approved use. Treatment decisions are made at a multidisciplinary tumour board, considering tumour type, stage, general health and previous treatments together.

  Status in Turkey: This is a treatment strategy study, not a drug study; drug licensing and SGK drug reimbursement do not apply. Whether close surveillance is feasible depends on the centre’s capacity for regular follow-up with endoscopy and PET-CT.

  • Source:
  • ESMO Congress 2026, LBA78 abstract
  • ESMO list of simultaneous publications (27 October 2026)

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The news on this page is for general information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Whether a treatment is suitable for you is decided together with your physician after assessing the characteristics of your disease.