ABSTRACT
The lower subregion of the south of Thailand has an overall higher incidence and mortality associated with oesophageal cancer than does the upper subregion. The increased incidence in the lower south is more marked among females than among males, but the male/female incidence ratio in the lower subregion is still high (3.7:1). There is evidence also of an increased incidence in the eastern provinces compared with that in western provinces. Available data on occupation and district of residence provide no clues to the cause of the distinct geographic pattern of incidence within the southern region.
Subject(s)
Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Carcinoma/epidemiology , Esophageal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Ethnicity , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Occupations , Sex Factors , ThailandABSTRACT
The use of balloon cytology technique for detection of oesophageal carcinoma has been tested in 73 non-symptomatic patients and 53 patients with symptoms of oesophageal carcinoma from the high incidence of Southern Thailand. Cytological findings were compared with findings of esophagoscopy and oesophageal biopsy. Among symptomatic patients, scope/biopsy revealed 29 positive for carcinoma, against which balloon cytology yielded 9 false negatives (sensitivity 69%), but no false positives. All false negatives were of the stenosing type of tumour. One of 3 early cases of carcinoma revealed by the balloon technique among asymptomatic patients could not be detected by oesophagoscopy, biopsy or oesophagogram, but was confirmed by repeated cytological examination. The basic properties of the balloon cytology technique appear to justify its use as a routine diagnostic tool among high-risk patients for oesophageal carcinoma in Southern Thailand.