Carcinoma of the oesophagus: Factors influencing survival

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Abstract
A series of 191 cases of carcinoma of the oesophagus is presented. The 77 cases (middle and lower third) treated by complete oesophagectomy are studied in detail. Evidence for the existence of an immune reaction by the patient against the tumour is found. This immune reaction has a favourable effect on the prognosis, even in the presence of other unfavourable features. Delay in diagnosis does not affect the prognosis. It is suggested that the presence of this reaction, as detected by a study of the resected specimen after oesophagectomy, might be used to determine the selective use of post-operative radiotherapy in an attempt to improve the prognosis in this disease.