Small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Treatment by endoscopy.
A case of primary carcinoma of the esophagus is presented that consisted of poorly differentiated small-cell carcinoma. The patient underwent endoscopic treatment, first with an Nd:YAG laser and, finally, with bougienage and the insertion of a prosthesis in order to relieve dysphagia and improve the nutritional status and quality of life. Even though it is generally uncommon for laser therapy to be chosen as a primary mode of treatment, the results obtained should permit to overcome this lack of confidence in the choice of laser treatment for small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
Divisione di Endoscopia, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
G
G
Di Felice
M
M
Dal Fante
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P
Spinelli
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D019736:Prostheses and Implants