CARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS IN IBADAN

This was a retrospective analysis of 177 histologically confirmed case s of oesophageal carcinoma seen in the University College Hospital, Ib adan, Nigeria over a period of 30 years, Oesophageal carcinoma constit uted 0.6 per cent of all malignant neoplasms and 1.4 cases per 1000 su rgical biopsies during the study period, Dysphagia and weight loss wer e the most common clinical manifestations. Ninety three patients prese nted within one year of onset of clinical symptoms, The peak age incid ence occurred in the seventh decade of life. Sex distribution was equa l, The middle third of the oesophagus was the most common location of the neoplasm and the vast majority (94.5%) were squamous cell carcinom as. Achalasia of the cardia and Barrett's oesophagus were not associat ed with oesophageal carcinoma in this study. Regional lymph nodes and lungs were the most common sites of metastasis, Surgical complications included mediastinitis and bronchopneumonia, both occurring within se ven days postoperatively. Late clinical presentation and high postoper ative mortality are responsible for the persistently poor prognosis of oesophageal carcinoma despite significant advances in the diagnosis a nd management of these neoplasms.