Oesophageal malignancies in Dar es Salaam
Mwakyusa, D.H.; Dolmans, W.M.; Mbaga, I.M.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine 34(3): 257-260
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-3232 PMID: 7179465 Document Number: 187038
The clinical, radiological, endoscopic and histological aspects of 46 oesophageal cancers seen over a period of three years are analysed. A history of dysphagia was obtained in 93% of the cases while 87% of them had evident weight loss of varying degrees, making the two the most consistent clinical features; 24% of patients had pulmonary complications. The lower third of the oesophagus was the commonest location of tumours, accounting for 63% of the cases, while 61% of all cancers were of the squamous cell histological variety. Six biopsy specimens yielded negative histology, although the endoscopic visualization and radiological features were consistent with malignant growths.