[Neoplasms associated with esophageal epidermoid carcinoma]

The esophageal epidermoid cancer has an important association with aerodigestive tract neoplasms and possibly share the same risk factors. Furthermore, other neoplasms can be associated with esophagus cancer.

To analyze retrospectively the patients with esophageal epidermoid cancer (EEC) and associated neoplasms, treated by the Esophagus Stomach and Small Intestine Group of Surgery at Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre from January 1988 to June 1995.

Nineteen (7.28%) of the 261 studied patients had associated neoplasms to the EEC. Ten patients presented synchronic tumours and 9 metachronic ones. The predominant sex was the masculine with 17 cases. The mean age was 62.52 years in the moment of the esophageal cancer diagnostic.

The aerodigestive tumours, squamous carcinomas in totality, represented the predominant associated neoplasm histological type in 68.42% of the cases. The most frequent associated aerodigestive tumours site was the respiratory tract (53.8%), followed by the oral cavity and oropharynx (23%) and larynx (23%). In our sample, twelve patients were smokers and 9 were alcohol abusers. In relation to the EEC treatment, surgery was performed in 6 patients. The associated neoplasm was treated with radical surgery in 11 patients and radiotherapy in 5. Surprisingly 4 cases (21%) of gastric adenocarcinoma associated to the EEC were diagnosed, treated with radical surgery in 3 patients.

The authors call attention to the importance of a criterial staging as well as the follow up in patients with EEC owing to the significant association with others neoplasms, principally with aerodigestive tumours, and discuss the common risk factors possibility: tobacco and alcohol use. Important association with gastric neoplasms were found in this casuistry.