The aim of this study is to compare outcomes in patients with operable squamous carcinoma of the esophagus who have received either surgery or definitive chemoradiation (CRT).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eligible patients had mid or lower thoracic esophageal cancers that were confirmed on histology to be a squamous cell carcinoma deemed to be resectable.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The investigators excluded those patients who had distant metastasis to solid visceral organs or local invasion into trachea, descending aorta, or recurrent laryngeal nerve.
• Those patients who were older than 75 years or who had a serious premorbid condition or a poor physical status that compromised a thoracotomy were also excluded.