highly significantP < 0.001
al condition, high or moderate physical status, absence or presence of a post-operative complication, minimal dysphagia vs moderate or severe, and the sex of the patient (median survival is longer in women). Analysis of survival by the Life Table/Log Rank method showed the following to be highly significant variables (P < 0.001) opera- 49 tion, presence or absence of post operative complication, decision to explore or palliate, physical status and performance status.