[Neoadjuvant therapy of adenocarcinomas of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Status of radiotherapy].

Radiotherapy in combination with simultaneous chemotherapy can improve survival of advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma. The extent of histopathological tumor regression achieved by the therapy is a relevant prognostic factor for this tumor entity. Response evaluation after radiochemotherapy of esophageal carcinoma will rely more and more on molecular factors and will allow individualization of the therapy. New combinations with taxanes and irinotecan as well as EGF receptor antagonists need to be evaluated in phase III trials. Postoperative chemoradiation and perioperative chemotherapy are evaluated in gastric adenocarcinomas and show a survival advantage. Surgery techniques used in theses trials are not recommended in current clinical guidelines.