Resumen

VEITIA, Guillermo et al. Consumo de tabaco y alcohol en pacientes con cáncer esofágico en el Hospital Vargas de Caracas durante el período 2004 - 2009. Gen [online]. 2010, vol.64, n.2, pp.114-117. ISSN 0016-3503.

Background: Esophageal cancer ranks ninth among malignancies worldwide and is associated with smoking and alcoholism. In Hospital Vargas de Caracas is ranked number 11 among the top 15 (2.5%) causes of cancer discharges per year. Objective: To determine the consumption of tobacco and alcohol in patients admitted due to esophageal cancer in Hospital Vargas de Caracas during 2004-2009. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed after reviewing the charts of 24 patients admitted with esophageal cancer. We used central tendency measures for interpretation of results. Results: 21 (87.5%) patients were male and three (12.5%) female. The average age was 61 years-old. 83.3% (20) reported smoking over 24 pack/years and become an alcoholic greater than 120 g/day. Histologically, 87.5% (21) corresponded to epidermoid carcinoma located in 1/3 of the esophagus in 58.3% (14). Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 3 patients (12.5%). Conclusion and Recommendation: The most common histopathological fi nding was squamous cell carcinoma in 87.5% of the charts reviewed. 83% of patients had a signifi cant association with smoking and alcoholism, that’s why, we recommend the implementation of a joint program in health promotion and disease prevention among the Venezuelan Society of Gastroenterology and Cancer Society of Venezuela, to fight against the risk factors of this disease.