Oesophageal Carcinoma

Question 1

What are the two main types of oesophageal carcinoma?

Answer 1

Squamous cell carcinoma
(SC epithelium in proximal 2/3)

Adenocarcinoma (Columnar epithelium in distal 1/3)

Question 2

Which is the most common type of oesophageal carcinoma worldwide?

Answer 2

Squamous cell carcinoma

Question 3

Which type of oesophageal carcinoma is most common in the UK?

Answer 3

Adenocarcinoma

Question 4

Which gender is most at risk of developing oesophageal carcinoma?

Answer 4

Males

M:F = 5:1

Question 5

What risk factors are associated with oesophageal carcinoma?

Answer 5

Male
Low socioeconomic status
Diet ↓ in fibre
Plummer-Vinson syndrome

Specific to SCC:

• Smoking, alcohol, nitrosamines
• Black or asian
• Hot drinks
• FHx of upper GI cancer

Specific to adenocarcinoma:

• Barrett’s oesophagus
• Hiatus hernia
• Obesity
• Caucasian

Question 6

Which histological type of oesophageal carcinoma is more common in caucasian populations?

Answer 6

Adenocarcinoma

Question 7

What findings are typical in a history and exam of a patient with oesophageal carcinoma?

Answer 7

Dysphagia (progressive, first solids then liquids)

Weight loss

Odynophagia