Carcinoma of the esophagus.

Carcinoma of the esophagus, previously thought to be rare in West Africa, is now known to be relatively common in Ibadan. In a 39-month period, extending from January 1975 to March 1978, 30 cases of esophageal carcinoma were seen on the surgical service of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Males were affected more than females by a ratio of 2.3 to 1, and the highest incidence was found in the sixth and seventh decades. Many of the affected people belong to the low socioeconomic class. The predominant cell type is the squamous cell carcinoma and the most common site is the lower third of the esophagus (51.85 percent), followed by the mid-thoracic esophagus (29.6 percent). Because most patients presented very late in the course of the disease, only 11 patients had esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy. Six of these (54.6 percent) recovered from the operation and were discharged. Only one patient had an insertion of a Mousseau-Barbin tube. In our environment, where there is no adequate radiotherapy facility, resection of esophageal carcinoma is recommended when feasible, even as a palliative measure.