Primary adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

Forty years of experience with carcinoma of the esophagus at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is reviewed. Of 1859 patients, 1529 were found to have epidermoid carcinoma and 45 had primary adenocarcinoma. Treatment and results in these 45 patients are discussed. Because of varying reports concerning the incidence and prognosis of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, all cases of extension into the distal esophagus by a primary carcinoma of the stomach were carefully excluded. The two forms of esophageal cancer are compared and show a striking similarity in their clinical behavior and ultimate prognosis.