Volume 13 - July 2026

Explore the ISDE 2026 Program 

The 22nd ISDE World Congress for Esophageal Diseases program at a glance showcases a comprehensive three-day scientific meeting designed to meet the interests of the entire multidisciplinary esophageal community. Covering both benign and malignant esophageal diseases, the Congress brings together diverse perspectives from gastroenterologists, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, scientists, nurses, dietitians, industry partners and patient advocates. 

Among others, be sure to add these sessions to your agenda: 

• S05: Achalasia Management 

Wednesday, September 16 | 10:45–12:00 

• S26: Current Progress of Radiotherapy and Strategy for Organ Preservation 

Friday, September 18| 09:45–11:00  

Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise, discover emerging research or connect with colleagues across disciplines, the program offers valuable learning opportunities throughout the Congress. 

Earn Internationally Recognized CME Credits 

Enhance your professional development while attending ISDE 2026. 

The 22nd ISDE World Congress for Esophageal Diseases has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) with 17 European CME credits (ECMEC®s). These credits may also be converted to AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and are recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada under its Maintenance of Certification Program.  

New webinar series: Demystifying Eosinophilic Esophagitis 

EoE is rising worldwide, and diagnosis and long-term management remain a challenge across specialties. Join us on Thursday 6 August 2026 at 14:00 UTC for Part 1 of a new three-part ISDE series, featuring Nirmala Gonsalves, MD and Gary W. Falk, MD on epidemiology, diagnosis, and the clinical implications of disease progression. 

Parts 2 and 3 follow in October and November. We wish to acknowledge and thank Sanofi | Regeneron for their partnership in supporting this series.  

Each new member brings unique expertise and perspectives that further strengthen our collective commitment to education, research, and international collaboration in the field of esophageal diseases.

This month, we are proud to welcome 5 professionals from 3 countries around the world. Representing backgrounds in surgery, gastroenterology. Their names are listed below, along with a world map highlighting their home countries - a reflection of the global connections that continue to shape our community.

We extend a warm welcome to all of our newest members!

Jowhara Al Qahtani Surgery Qatar

Antonio Barbaro Surgery Australia

Richard Chen Surgery Australia

Tomasz Skoczylas Surgery Poland

May Wong Gastroenterology Australia

DOTE - Volume 39, Issue 4, July 2026 The latest issue of Diseases of the Esophagus Journal is now.

Table of Contents:

Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

• Predictors of postoperative health-related quality of life in patients with esophageal cancer: a scoping review

Expert Review

• Cervical lymph node metastases in thoracic esophageal cancer: a systematic review Open Access

Original Articles

• Identification of transient hiatal hernia on high-resolution manometry is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Squamous cell carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen monitoring during post-definitive chemoradiotherapy surveillance for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: JCOG2106A

Lessons Learned

• Lessons learned: use of 24-hour ambulatory esophageal and gastric pH monitoring and its implications for proton pump inhibitor use in cancer patients requiring oral oncologic therapies

Letter to the Editor

• Overstated equivalence between transthoracic and extended gastrectomy for Siewert type II tumors

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Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in Thoracic Esophageal Cancer: A systematic review

Open Access

Author André Fonseca Duarte MD

Cervical lymph node metastases in thoracic esophageal cancer represent a controversial pattern of nodal spread, with inconsistent classification across staging systems and substantial variation in reported management and outcomes.

A systematic review was conducted that included 19 studies and summed 1,669 patients. Most cohorts consisted primarily of squamous cell carcinoma, with limited representation of adenocarcinoma.

Survival outcomes differed substantially. In selected patients treated with curative intent, 3-year overall survival reached up to 72%, and 5-year overall survival up to 41%. Cervical lymph node metastases in thoracic esophageal cancer should not be regarded as a uniform disease entity.

In selected patients treated with curative intent, including neoadjuvant therapy followed by esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy, long-term survival has been reported.

Anatomically precise stratification and consistent reporting are essential to improve prognostic interpretation and guide treatment decisions.

Click on the link and see the authors full conclusion and the details of these findings.

Read full article on Cervical lymph node metastases in thoracic esophageal cancer: a systematic review.

DOTE Welcomes Its 2026 Editorial Fellowship Cohort

We're delighted to introduce the two fellows joining the 2026 DOTE Editorial Fellowship Programme. Stijn Vanstraelen (University Hospitals Leuven) is an attending surgeon and surgeon-scientist focused on esophageal cancer biology and early detection, with research experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Luisa Bertin (University of Padua) is a gastroenterologist and PhD candidate specializing in esophageal motility and GERD, and a Young Associate Editor at Minerva Gastroenterology. 

The programme gives emerging talent hands-on editorial experience and a closer view of the journal's work. Over the coming 2 years the fellowship cohort will participate in a structured mentorship program; reviewer skills training; contribute to new and emerging content streams; work to strengthen ties within the esophageal community. 

Please join us in welcoming them. Learn more about the DOTE Editorial Fellowship Program. 

Introducing the Early Career Editorial Network 

The editorial fellowship programme drew a strong field of applicants, reflecting real enthusiasm among early-career clinicians and researchers to engage with DOTE. The new Early Career Editorial Network is being established directly out of that interest. 

Literature Updates

Randomized Controlled Trial of Upper Esophageal Sphincter Assist Device in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease

Schatzki’s Rings: Recognition, Significance, and Management

Gastroparesis A Review

Amber-red color imaging for enhanced anatomical structures recognition in third-space endoscopy: a prospective video-based study

Long-term outcome after endoscopic resection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invading muscularis mucosa without lymphovascular invasion: a multicenter retrospective study

Prospective cohort study of palliative treatment of esophageal cancer with liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy

Referral patterns and outcomes in patients with dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus at an expert endoscopic therapy center: impact of radiofrequency ablation before referral

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Technology Status Evaluation Report: endoscopic submucosal dissection (with videos)

FLOT vs CROSS Among Patients With Pathological Complete Response in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Perioperative Toripalimab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Alone in Locally Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: 3-Year Follow-Up of NEOSUMMIT-01 Trial

Biomarker-Driven Management of Nonmetastatic GEJ Adenocarcinoma



Clinical Machine Learning Model for Predicting Pathological Complete Response in Patients with Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma After Trimodality Therapy

Risk Stratification of Postoperative Recurrence After Adjuvant Nivolumab for Resected Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer: A Real-World Study

The Impact of Hospital Volume on Postoperative Outcomes for Esophagectomy and Gastrectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

What I Wish I Had to Train Endoscopy: The Need for Transformation of Endoscopy Education

Endoscopy Education Grounded in the Science of Expertise and Simulation-Based Mastery Learning

Human deskilling in medical artificial intelligence: prohibited or permissible under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act?

Visit the ISDE Literature Updates Online for more.

22nd ISDE World Congress - September 16-18, 2026 in Kyoto, Japan

United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week - October 17-20, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain

Japan Digestive Disease Week (JDDW) – November 5-7, 2026 in Kobe, Japan

Additional events of interest to the ISDE members and community can be found on the ISDE Events Calendar.

Planning an esophageal-focused event? Submit it to the ISDE Events Calendar and get your conference, symposium, or educational session in front of the global esophageal community.