食管癌在北美占全部癌症的1%和全部癌症引起死亡的2%,诊断后的五年生存率只有5%。男女之比为3∶1,女性的五年生存率是男性的两倍。在苏联、非洲、亚洲和南美等地方,食管癌是最常见的癌症。要达到治愈甚至成功的姑息,食管癌也是最困难的癌症之一。 Esophageal cancer accounts for 1% of all cancers in North America and 2% of all cancer deaths. The five-year survival rate after diagnosis is only 5%. The ratio of women to men is 3:1, and the five-year survival rate for women is twice that of men. In the Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, and South America, esophageal cancer is the most common cancer. To achieve cure or even successful palliative, esophageal cancer is also one of the most difficult cancers.