FREQUENCY OF ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH DYSPHAGIA

ABSTRACT
Objective of the Study: To determine the frequency of esophageal carcinoma in patients presenting with dysphagia.
Patient and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department
of Hayatabad medical complex Peshawar from October 2012 to July 2013. Patients with history of dysphagia were
included in the study after applying the exclusion criteria. Detailed history taking, systemic examination and base line
investigations were done for all patients followed by endoscopic examination of the upper GI tract along with biopsy
from suspicious lesions. All this information was entered into a specially designed proforma. All data was analyzed
using SPSS Program 10.0. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the study variables.
Results: A total of 100 patients with dysphagia were included in this study out of which 63 (63 %) were male and 37 (37
%) were female with male to female ratio of 1.7:1. Patients were in the age range of 30-70 years with most of the patients
between 50-60 years of age. Mean age was 50 years with a SD of ± 7.9 years. Out of 100 patients 54 had esophageal
carcinoma and the most common site of involvement by carcinoma esophagus was middle third followed by lower third.
Conclusion: Dysphagia is an alarm feature requiring immediate evaluation and management according to the cause.
The patient’s main concern is presence or absence of malignancy too. Elderly patients with dysphagia and weight
loss and patients from areas having high incidence of malignancy should be evaluated for esophageal malignancy,
particularly Afghan patients.
Key Words: Dysphagia, carcinoma esophagus.