Early‐stage esophageal carcinomas are extremely difficult to detect because the patients have no complaints, and findings on the X‐rays are nil. Lugol‐combined endoscopy is the most effective method for detecting the presence of small carcinoma of the esophagus. This paper was, first, conducted on the diagnostic features of early‐stage esophageal carcinoma, detected through the use of Lugol‐combined endoscopy. As the prognosis of patients with esophageal carcinoma is related to many factors, we investigated the prognostic contribution of 15 discrete variables with multivariate analysis. The variables are resectability of the malignant lesion, DNA distribution pattern of the cancer cells, and postoperative complications. As the DNA pattern of cancer cells cannot be changed by surgeons, early detection and postoperative care play key roles in determining the survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company
