Difficult Diagnosis of a Carcinoma Esophagus

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of esophageal cancer worldwide. The overall incidence increases with age, reaching a peak in the seventh decade. SCC occurs equally as often in the middle and lower esophagus, with an incidence that is three times higher in blacks in comparison to whites. Adenocarcinoma of the cervical esophagus is quite an uncommon occurrance. Esophageal  adenocarcinomas are usually encountered in the lower esophagus and  squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is more likely to be seen in the upper esophagus. However, due to the trivial nature of the symptoms of the disease, these patients are likely to present in the later stage. Here we present the case of an elderly male, who presented with complaints of dysphagia to solid foods for 3 months and was diagnosed as a case of upper esophageal adenocarcinoma.