Abstract: Target volume definition is one of the important factors in precise radiotherapy of esophageal carcinoma. However, there is considerable controversy about delineation of esophageal carcinoma clinical target volume (CTV), and no consistent standard. Recent researches show that pathological characteristics, imaging methods and lymph node metastasis pattern may have guiding functions for CTV delineation. Novel delineation technique such as individual design has been a research hotspot.

Key words: Esophageal neoplasms, Radiotherapy, Clinical target volume