Oesophageal Carcinoma

Question 1

What is the typical age and sex ratio of oesophageal cancer?

Answer 1

50-70yrs
M 5:1 F

Also more common in Iran, China

Question 2

The main risk factors of oesophageal cancer are Alcohol, smoking, achalasia, GORD, Plummer-Vinson and what three other things?

Answer 2

Fatty diet
Decreased vit A+C
Nitrosamine exposure

Question 3

Histologically, the lower third tends to give rise to what type of cancers?

Answer 3

Adenocarcinoma (65%)

Question 4

Histologically, the upper and middle third tends to give rise to what type of cancers?

Answer 4

SCC (35%)

Question 5

What percentage of pts with oesophageal cancer have mets at time of Dx?

Answer 5

75%

Question 6

What two blood tests would you do in suspected oesophageal cancer? why?

Answer 6

FBC: anaemia
LFTs: hepatic mets, albumin

Question 7

What test allows diagnosis of oesophageal carcinoma?

Answer 7

Endoscopy + biopsy

Question 8

How many with oesophageal cancer live beyond 5 years?

Answer 8

15% with surgery
<5% without

median: 4 months

largely stage dependent