A 70-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of progressive difficulty swallowing solids, initially, and now liquids. He reports significant weight loss. Endoscopy reveals a mass in the distal esophagus. Biopsy confirms adenocarcinoma. What is the most appropriate next step in his management?

The correct answer to the question "A 70-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of progressive difficulty swallowing solids, initially, and now liquids. He reports significant weight loss. Endoscopy reveals a mass in the distal esophagus. Biopsy confirms adenocarcinoma. What is the most appropriate next step in his management?" is Option C: Order CT imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis for staging.

The other options — A) Initiate proton pump inhibitor therapy, B) Perform an esophagectomy immediately, D) Schedule palliative radiation therapy — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: After a confirmed diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma, staging with CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis (and often PET scan or endoscopic ultrasound) is essential to determine the extent of disea…