ABSTRACT
Each year in the UK there are 7600 cases of oesophageal cancer, 4900 cases in men and 2700 cases in women, accounting for 2.7 per cent of all cancer cases and leading to a total of 7400 deaths per annum. Tumours of the upper third are much more common in females. The peak incidence is at 60-70 years. The highest incidence is found in Russia, Turkey, China, Iran and Southern Africa.
