Adenocarcinoma of the cardia: A 10‐year regional review

Abstract

Abstract Adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia has the worst prognosis of all sites, and treatment is often palliative. This study has reviewed 736 patients with carcinoma of the cardia registered with the Birmingham Cancer Registry during 1960–1969. Fifty‐eight percent of the patients presented with advanced disease. Radical resection was accomplished in 265 (36%). The age adjusted 5‐year survival for all patients was 4.5% and 9.8% for those undergoing radical resection. In patients with advanced disease, palliative resection was associated with a longer survival than for those treated by intubation ( p < 0.001) and this difference was maintained even in the presence of liver or peritoneal metastases. There was no difference in the 30‐day mortality rates for those undergoing palliative resection or intubation and it is suggested that resection be undertaken whenever possible.