Cancer of the cardia

The records of 157 patients with cardioesophageal carcinoma were reviewed. It is evident that although the prognosis of patients with squamous carcinoma is better than that of patients with adenocarcinoma, neither lesion is compatible with substantial long-term survival. Palliative resection of squamous carcinoma provides satisfactory short-term relief of symptoms. Palliative resection of adenocarcinoma, however, does not afford a similar response. Alternative modes of therapy are suggested.