Ahmadi et al reported a score for distinguishing malignant from benign esophageal disease. Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer may improve the outcome. The authors are from McMaster University, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, University of British Columbia and the University of Calgary.
Patient selection: symptomatic patient prior to diagnostic tests
Parameters:
(1) sex
(2) family history of esophageal cancer
(3) melena
(4) family history of other (non-esophageal) cancer
(5) fatigue
(6) pain (chest, back, etc)
(7) weight loss
Parameter
Finding
Points
sex
male
2
female
0
family history of esophageal cancer
no
0
yes
2
melena
no
0
yes
2
family history of cancer
no
0
yes
1
fatigue
no
0
yes
1
pain
no
0
yes
1
weight loss
no
0
yes
1
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 10
Total Score
Risk Group
Relative Risk
0 to 2
low
0.28
3 to 6
medium
1.5
7 to 10
high
8.2
Performance:
• The area under the ROC curve is 0.82
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