Outcome of thoracic esophageal carcinoma in blacks in the inner city

This report is based on 45 cases of cancer of the thoracic esophagus in blacks residing in a socioeconomically depressed area of the inner city of South-Central Los Angeles. There were 30 men and 15 women, ranging in age from 26 to 89 years. Preoperative management, contraindications of surgery, and overall results are specified. The operative mortality rate was 14%. As a means of restoring continuity of the alimentary tract after resection of esophageal carcinoma, the stomach was preferred, although the colon was used in two instances. Five-year survival in this series was 14% in the operative group and 13% in the radiotherapy group; one of the surgical patients is still alive, and another one survived for 72 months. In the radiation group, no such incidence occurred. It is therefore concluded that surgery is the optimal palliation if there is an acceptable risk of mortality. When operative risks are unacceptable radiation therapy is used.