Combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy for small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus. A case report of long-term survival and review of the literature.
Small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare tumor and has received little attention until recent years. It should be differentiated from the far more common poorly differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus, because treatment by surgical resection alone or by radiation therapy results in limited survival of a few months. It is now recognized that esophageal small-cell carcinoma presents with early widespread dissemination and is chemosensitive, similar to primary small-cell carcinoma of the lung. We report on a patient with small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and VP-16 followed by local radiation therapy. Pathologic complete remission was achieved. The patient is currently in remission 22 months after diagnosis, the longest survival reported thus far.
Hussein
A M
AM
Department of Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Fl 33136.
Feun
L G
LG
Sridhar
K S
KS
Benedetto
P
P
Waldman
S
S
Otrakji
C L
CL
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide