A Study of Superficial Esophageal Carcinoma Associated with Other Primary Malignancies

• Published in: Nippon Shokaki Geka Gakkai zasshi Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 800 - 804
• Main Authors: Kanamoto, Akira, Yamaguchi, Hajime, Kondo, Hitoshi, Gotoda, Takuji, Ono, Hiroyuki, Tachimori, Yuji, Kato, Hoichi, Watanabe, Hiroshi, Nakanishi, Yukihiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery 1999
• Subjects: esophageal carcinoma associated with other primary cancers; multiple primary malignancies; squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus; superficial esophageal carcinoma
• ISSN: 0386-9768; 1348-9372
• DOI: 10.5833/jjgs.32.800

In a series of 359 patients with superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital from 1962 to 1997, 140 (39%) had other primary malignancies involving various organs. Of the 140 patients, 70 had synchronous double cancers, 47 had metachronous double cancers and 23 had involvement of three or more organs. In patients with metachronous double cancers, the esophageal cancer was detected earlier than the other malignancies in 10 cases, while the associated cancer was detected before the esophageal cancer in the remaining 37. The most common site of the secondary cancer was the stomach (52 cases), followed by the pharynx (45 cases). The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with multiple primary malignancies was 67%, which is significantly worse than the 5-year survival rate of patients with solitary esophageal cancer, 77%. In dealing with patients with superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus associated with other primary cancers, early detection of both cancers is essential to improving their outcomes.