Patients with early disease limited to the mucosa (T1) or precancerous Barrett’s oesophagus have the best chance of long-term survival after curative surgery with 5-year diseasefree survival rates approaching 80%. Otherwise, the overall 5-year survival rate for oesophageal cancer after surgical resection ranges from 5% to 30%. Early diagnosis is vital as the options and results of treatment vary greatly depending on the cancer stage.