Ernest H. Rosenbaum, MD, Carlos Pellegrini, MD, T. Stanley Meyler, MD, Lawrence Margolis, MD, Malin Dollinger, MD, and David R. Byrd, MD
Adapted for the Canadian edition by Thomas Keane, MB, BCh, BAo
The first recorded case of esophageal cancer was described in China 2,000 years ago. It was called ye ge, which seems to have been a polite way of referring to difficult swallowing (dysphagia) and belching. It is a treatable and sometimes curable cancer, although most patients have a poor prognosis because the cancer is usually advanced by the time symptoms appear.
Special attention to good nutrition is an important part of treatment, especially since people in good physical condition with minimal weight loss have a better prognosis. Overall five-year survival for cases amenable to surgery is about 5 to 20 percent; only 25 to 40 percent of cases are amenable to surgery. Earlier diagnosis and treatment can improve survival. Recent improvements in radiation therapy and chemotherapy results are somewhat encouraging.
Esophageal cancer is relatively uncommon in Canada, affecting about 1,000 Canadians each year, with approximately 950 deaths. It is responsible for less than 2 percent of all cancers in Canada and 7 percent of gastrointestinal cancers.
