Role of endoscopy in the management of esophageal diseases.

Endoscopy plays a major role in diseases of the esophagus. Endoscopic findings alone can suggest or confirm a variety of diagnoses, especially with newer imaging modalities, which can be confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. Endoscopic ultrasound allows accurate staging for the management of esophageal malignancies. In the area of therapeutics, endoscopy allows for dilation of strictures, resection and ablation of premalignant lesions and placement of stents for benign and malignant diseases. This article will summarize the latest advances in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.