Preoperative ctDNA status predicts recurrence risk in esophageal cancer

Preoperative circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis shows significant prognostic value in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Among 25 patients, those with ctDNA detected post-treatment faced a recurrence-free survival rate of only 8% at 36 months, compared to 92% for ctDNA-negative patients (p < 0.001). These findings highlight ctDNA as a potential biomarker to tailor treatment strategies for improved outcomes in ESCC management.