At the time of preparation and printing of the seventh edition of this text, the staging system in effect for esophageal cancer was the one in the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual, sixth edition. In mid-2009, the next edition of the staging manual will be released. The staging for esophageal cancer will change markedly. Most importantly, the staging will include the gastroesophageal junction and the staging for squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma diverge.