Fig. 2.

Cancer location. The cervical esophagus, bounded superiorly by the cricopharyngeus and inferiorly by the sternal notch, is typically 15–20 cm from the incisors using esophagoscopy. The upper thoracic esophagus, bounded superiorly by the sternal notch and inferiorly by the azygos arch, is typically 20–25 cm from the incisors using esophagoscopy. The middle thoracic esophagus, bounded superiorly by the azygos arch and inferiorly by the inferior pulmonary vein, is typically 25–30 cm from the incisors using esophagoscopy. The lower thoracic esophagus, bounded superiorly by the inferior pulmonary vein and inferiorly by the lower esophageal sphincter, is typically 30–40 cm from the incisors using esophagoscopy; this location includes cancers whose epicenter is within the proximal 5 cm of the stomach that extend into the EGJ or lower thoracic esophagus. EGJ, esophagogastric junction.