6-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF PRIMARY SMALL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS SHOWING A COMPLETE RESPONSE - A CASE-REPORT

Six-year follow-up of a case of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus showing a complete response is reported. The small cell pattern appear ed intermingled with areas of invasive squamous cell carcinoma and car cinoma in site. A neoadjuvant polychemotherapy regimen was used, follo wed by radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. This therapeutic c ombination resulted in complete response of the disease, as confirmed by computed tomography, endoscopy and biopsy. The patient is currently still alive, 6 years after the diagnosis, without any sign of relapse . A review of the literature reveals that this patient has survived lo nger than any others with this disease after treatment by chemoradioth erapy. The authors suggest that this therapy should be considered for patients with limited small cell carcinoma of the esophagus.