[Esophageal carcinoma presenting as fever of unknown origin].
Fever of unknown origin presents both a clinical and diagnostic challenge and is usually caused by inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. We present a unique case of a previously healthy 77-year-old woman whose sole complaint was fever. Complete hospital investigation failed to reveal the underlying process. 4 months after the onset of fever, dysphagia appeared and she was then diagnosed as suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The question of early barium swallow X-ray in such cases is raised.
Naimer
S
S
Dept. of Family Medicine, Beer Sheba, Medical Center.
Levine
A
A
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans