5-YEAR SURVIVAL AFTER TRANSHIATAL RESECTION OF ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOID-TUMOR WITH A LYMPH-NODE METASTASIS

Background. Carcinoid tumors of the esophagus are rare. Most reported cases have had a poor prognosis. The authors report the case of a 64-y ear-old man with a 4-cm carcinoid tumor of the lower esophagus. Method s. Following endoscopic resection of an argyrophilic, nonargentaffin, carcinoid tumor of the lower esophagus, endosonography showed residual tumor, suggestive of a metastatic lymph node. The findings were confi rmed at transhiatal esophagectomy. Results. No recurrence has been obs erved along the current 5-year follow-up. Conclusions. Lymph node meta stasis does not rule out the possibility of prolonged survival in esop hageal carcinoids. Endosonography is strongly advisable for pre-operat ive evaluation.