title: Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: therapeutic dilemma.
abstract: Seventy-five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were evaluated over a 5-year period. Most of the patients had advanced-stage cancer when first seen. Only 50% were surgically explored, and 33% underwent resection. Operative mortality was 8%. Despite the immediate and durable palliation provided by surgical resection, survival rates were poor. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical resection are the main hopes for improved long-term results.
authors.affiliation: New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York 10021.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Altorki
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Girardi
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome