Presentation of primary carcinoma of the oesophagus in southern Nigeria

Abstract

AIM: To document the presentation and epidemiology of oesophageal carcinoma in a Tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria
METHOD: This was an 11 year retrospective study of all patients managed for oesophageal carcinoma in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital from January 2004 to December 2014.
RESULT: Seventy-six cases were seen, comprising of 58 males and 18 females, with a male to female ratio of 3.2:1. Most patients (55.3%) were within the 60 - 75years age group; all patients (100%) presented with progressive dysphagia. The mean duration of symptoms at the time of presentation was 5.9 months (range 1-13 months). Sixty-two patients (82%) habitually ingested  alcohol and or consumed tobacco. The most predominant cell type was squamous cell carcinoma (81.6%) while the most common location of the lesion was distal third of the thoracic oesophagus (51.9%), followed by middle third (29.9%). Forty three percent of the patients had surgical palliative treatment for the dysphagia. The average survival was 19.8 weeks. The longest survival was 16 months and 1 week.

CONCLUSION:  Dysphagia and weight loss are the commonest symptoms of carcinoma of the oesophagus and late presentation for treatment is the norm.