Carcinoma of the Esophagus and Cardia

Abstract

RESECTIVE surgery for carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia can now be carried out with a reasonably low mortality. Opinion varies, however, over whether this form of treatment benefits the patient sufficiently in terms of relief of symptoms and prolongation of life to justify the risk and the expense and discomfort of a major operative procedure. Recent developments now make several methods of treatment available. Supervoltage radiation therapy,¹ operations to relieve swallowing by the transplantation of loops of jejunum² and colon³ and combined resection and supervoltage radiation therapy⁴ have their supporters. It is therefore extremely difficult to select the best . . .