RESUMEN
In order to evaluate the factor. which affect the five year survival rate and prognosti c factors of the early carcinoma of the esophagus and the gastric cardia treated with endoscopic Nd : YAG laser therapy , thirty-three patients were followed. Of the 33 patients , 32 ( 97% ) cases were cured , resul- ting in the disappearance of the cancer cells. They were followed up for 3 3- 78 months , with a mean of 55. 3 months. The survival rate of the 32 patients treated with endoscopic laser was computed with the Product limit estimate method ,and was compared with the natural history of early superficial carcinoma . of the esophagus and the gastric cardia. The five year survival rate was in 97% of the 32 patients treated with laser therapy ,in contrast to 67% (P