Tracheoesophageal Fistula Secondary to Carcinoma of Oesophagus: A Case Report

Abstract

Oesophageal carcinoma is one of the rare cancers in Nigeria,probably due to non-presentation and under-reporting of such cases in the country.The reported incidence of the cancer in Nigeria is less than 0.7%of all cancers.Tracheo-oesophageal fistula is a common complication resulting from oesophageal carcinomas and often results in acute and chronic lung infections and aspiration pneumonitis. Most patients die as a result of respiratory complication rather than the disease itself. We report a case of tracheo-oesophageal fistula resulting from carcinoma of the oesophagus in Yenogoa,Bayelsa state in Nigeria.