Between March, 1980 and January, 1984, computerized tomography (CT) was performed on 110 patients with proven esophageal carcinoma. In 26 patients, information obtained preoperatively by CT was compared with results of intraoperative exploration or histologic examination of resection specimen. Correlation analysis showed that accuracy of CT in assessing actual tumor size and mediastinal or abdominal lymph node involvement is rather limited, while correct results were obtained in between 84 and 100 per cent of patients as far as identification of invasion of adjacent organs is concerned. We thus advocate routine use of CT in the process of preoperative assessment of operability and staging.