[Esophageal cancer and multiple primary cancer]

Two hundred eleven cases, 27.1%, of multiple primary cancers of esophagus and other organs were found in 778 cases of esophageal cancers which were treated in our institution. Among them, double cancer accounted for 92.9%, triple cancer accounted for 6.6% and quadruple cancer for 0.5%. As for the other organ of esophageal double cancer. 59.9% of them were head and neck, 25.1% were stomach, 4.9% were colon and rectum, and remaining included liver, breast, lymphoma lung kidney etc. Head and neck cancers consisted with hypopharynx, tongue, larynx, oral floor and gingiva regarding incidence in its order. For discovering of double cancer in esophagus and other organs, 1. head and neck, stomach, colon and rectum, lung, liver etc. should be investigated preoperatively in the patients of esophageal cancer, 2. Esophagus should be examined preoperatively in the patients of these cancers, 3. Screening of esophageal cancer should be performed in the patients of high risks of esophageal cancer. As for the multiple primary cancer of esophagus and other organs, the balance of treatment should be considered to take the priority of the cancer limiting the prognosis.