ABSTRACT
Each year in the United Kingdom there are around 9000 cases of oesophageal cancer, 6200 cases in men and 3000 cases in women, accounting for 3% of all cancer cases. Approximately 40%–50% of tumours arise in the middle third of the oesophagus, 40%–50% in the lower third and less than 10% in the upper third; the tumour appears nodular, ulcerating or diffusely infiltrative. Dysphagia is the most common presenting symptom. Other symptoms include weight loss and recurrent aspiration. Care has to be taken not to confuse a tumour arising from the oesophageal mucosa with a tumour arising from an adjacent structure and invading into the oesophagus, e.g. carcinoma of the left main bronchus (most often squamous or small cell carcinoma), carcinoma of the fundus of the stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction (adenocarcinoma). Computed tomography provides information on the local extent of the disease with respect to invasion beyond the oesophagus and is of value in planning radiotherapy or surgery.
