title: Epidemiological features of esophageal cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma versus adenocarcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the epidemiological features of patients with esophageal cancer according to the histopathological types: squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 patients with esophageal cancer, being 50 squamous cell carcinomas and 50 adenocarcinomas were analyzed for demographics, nutritional factors, lifestyle habits, benign pathological conditions associated, like Barrett's esophagus and megaesophagus, tumor stage and survival rates. The nutritional factors evaluated included body mass index, percent weight loss, hemoglobin and albumin serum levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Esophageal cancer occurred more often in men over 50 years-old in both histological groups. No significant differences on age and gender were found between the histological groups. Squamous cell carcinoma was significantly more frequent in blacks than adenocarcinoma. Alcohol consumption and smoking were significantly associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Higher values of body mass index were seen in patients with adenocarcinoma. Barrett's esophagus was found in nine patients (18%) with adenocarcinoma, and megaesophagus in two patients (4%) with squamous cell carcinoma. The majority of patients were on stages III and IV in both histological groups. The mean survival rates were 7.7 ± 9.5 months for patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 8.0 ± 10.9 months for patients with adenocarcinoma. No significant differences on tumor stage and survival rates were detected between the histological groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidemiological features are distinct for the histopathological types of esophageal cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is associated with black race, alcohol and smoking, while adenocarcinoma is related to higher body mass index, white race and Barrett's esophagus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Botucatu Medical School, Paulista State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida Coelho de Arruda
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauro Masson
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lerco
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila Watson
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida Marchesan
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate