Dysphagia: caveat oesophagum.
The seriousness of dysphagia as a symptom is emphasised. Two illustrative cases are described in which carcinoma of the oesophagus causing dysphagia was diagnosed late. The importance of early barium studies and early oesophagoscopy is stressed. The poor results of management of carcinoma of the oesophagus associated with late diagnosis are illustrated in the patient data presented.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors