Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: continuing poor prognosis among veterans

A retrospective analysis of 26 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated at our center over a five-year period showed that the prognosis of this condition was still poor, with a mean length of survival of only 29 weeks after diagnosis; 88% of this period was spent in the hospital. The one-year survival rate was 23%. There were no two-year survivors. No major difference in survival based on method of treatment was evident though the groups were not truly comparable. We believe that a more thorough initial work-up including computerized tomography (CT) of the chest and upper abdomen in all cases would be invaluable in more accurately assessing the degree of spread. More frequent use of dilation and stents for palliation, rather than gastrostomy or jejunostomy will improve both survival and the quality of remaining life.