- 80-85% are squamous cell carcinomas
- 10% of all cancers of the Gl tract
- More common among blacks and males
- Risk factors: lye strictures (1000×risk), chronic alcohol (20-30×risk, esp. hard liquor), and tobacco (10-20×risk) use, consumption of foods rich in Aspergillus, nitrites, or nitrosamines; chronic vitamin deficiency, achalasia, esophagitis, Plummer-Vinson syndrome
- 20% upper third, 50% middle third, 30% lower third
- Extensive circumferential and/or longitudinal spread common because of rich lymphatic supply
- Usually well into wall or beyond by time of diagnosis; only about half of cases resectable
- 30% 1 yr survival; 5-10% 5 yr survival