Long-term survival after resection for small cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Yachida, Shinichi MD
Matsushita, Kohtaroh MD
Usuki, Hisashi MD
Wanibuchi, Hideki MD
Maeba, Takashi MD
Maeta, Hajime MD

^aDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa Medical University, Kagawa, Japan

^*Address reprint requests to Dr Yachida, Department of Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; e-mail: [email protected].

Accepted for publication June 30, 2000.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 72(2):p 596-597, August 2001. | DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(00)02528-5

We describe the rare case of a patient with esophageal small cell carcinoma who was completely cured. A 77-year-old man had small cell carcinoma of the esophagus with extensive lymph node metastases. Treatment comprised a subtotal esophagectomy and extended lymph node dissection. He has survived for more than 7 years with no evidence of recurrent disease. We suggest that radical operations should be considered for future patients if curative resection can be expected.