Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a case report

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 1997 Apr;27(2):95-100. doi: 10.1093/jjco/27.2.95.

Abstract

This article reports a case of primary undifferentiated small cell carcinoma of the esophagus with lymph node metastasis which invaded the stomach wall. The patient was treated with chemotherapy alone, consisting of CDDP and VP-16. The patient had a complete response to chemotherapy, with no evidence of disease for nine months, after six courses of the regimen. Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is an aggressive tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Because its characteristics are similar to small cell carcinoma of the lung, small cell carcinoma of the esophagus should be treated by multi-drug chemotherapy including CDDP, with or without radiation as the first line treatment. This chemotherapy regimen may achieve a long disease-free survival time.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / drug therapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Esophagus / pathology
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin

Supplementary concepts

  • VP-P protocol