PhD defence S.E.M. (Steffi) van de Ven

In the first part of this thesis, we investigated how many patients with head and neck cancer or esophageal cancer develop a second tumor in the upper aerodigestive tract. Both patients with esophageal cancer and head and neck cancer have an increased risk to develop a second tumor. The risk to develop a second tumor is ten times higher in patients with esophageal cancer compared to patients without esophageal cancer. These second tumors were most often located in the head and neck region. Searching in an early stage (screening) for second tumors in the esophagus with an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients with head and neck cancer shows that in 9.4% of patients, esophageal cancer or a preliminary stage of esophageal cancer was found. Screening can be useful, however future studies should take patient burden and survival benefit into account.  

In the second part of this thesis we show that taking Budesonide tablets after an esophageal tumor has been removed during esophagogastroduodenoscopy can reduce the incidence of esophageal strictures after the procedure. In addition, we developed a prediction model that can predict the risk of developing lymph node metastasis after an early esophageal carcinoma is removed. This risk can be predicted based on tumor characteristic investigated by the pathologist. This prediction model can help in deciding whether additional surgical treatment should be performed.

The public defence will take place at the Prof. Andries Queridoroom, 3rd floor Education Center, Erasmus MC. The ceremony will begin exactly at 13.00 PM. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.