[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of 103 early cases of cancer of the esophagus and gastric cardia].

From April 1986 to February 1992, 103 cases of early cancer of esophagus and gastric cardia were detected by the occult blood detector and fiberoptic gastroscope in Yangzhong County, Jiangsu province, a high incidence region of these cancers. All cases were confirmed by operation and pathology. Fourty-seven had cancer of the esophagus and the rest cancer of the gastric cardia which accounted for 17.1% (103/604) of the surgically treated cases in the same period. The authors believe that most patients with early lesions of these cancers are not asymptomatic. Periodic screening of the general population in the high risk area by the occult blood detector is indicated not only for the people themselves but also for improvement of the medical works as well.