Early oesophageal cancer. Does it exist? Why we cannot find it?

Results of surgery in oesophageal cancer are still disappointing. The only possible solution is to search actively for early cancer in nonsymptomatic person. The group of patients with Barrett's oesophagus or after lye ingestion was included in the endoscopical screening programme. In order to improve our results and increase sensitivity we have employed the Lugol solution for mucous membrane staining. During five years follow-up period four cases of early cancer were found. All cases were treated surgically showing cancer confined only to the mucous membrane in two patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography is currently the best technique for the staging of oesophageal cancer. Our preliminary data are encouraging shown that its possible to use population screening programme in some well-defined group of patients.