title: Oesophageal malignancies in Dar es Salaam.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013636:Tanzania