[Medical care for patients with cancer of the upper thoracic segment of the esophagus].

Out of 350 hospitalized cases of esophageal carcinoma in the upper thoracic segment, stage III-IV tumors were identified in 82.8%. A retarded seeking of medical advice was chiefly responsible for the advancement of tumors. Radical surgery was performed in 32 (9.1%) patients only. The percentage of radically-treated cases could have been greater, if there had been fewer refusals to operate and to be operated on both on the part of patients and doctors who would object to surgery on the grounds of concomitant pathology or the patient's age. Radiotherapy, used in 197 (72.7%) patients as a sole method of treatment, was followed by remission in 68%.