Long-Segment early squamous cell carcinoma of the proximal esophagus: curative treatment and long-term follow-up after 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-photodynamic therapy.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment for the ablation of dysplastic Barrett's epithelium and early esophageal carcinoma, but no data have been published on curative 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-PDT for long-segment early esophageal cancer with infiltration of the upper sphincter. We describe successful curative treatment of an unusual early long-segment squamous cell carcinoma (uT1a,N0) of the proximal esophagus (18 - 28 cm aborally), with three sessions of 5-ALA-PDT. Endoscopic and endosonographic follow-up macroscopically showed a complete remission of the tumor, proven by biopsy showing total histological ablation. After a follow-up period of 23 months, there has been no indication of tumor recurrence. Early superficial (< 3 mm) squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus can be ablated completely by 5-ALA-PDT. However, long-term follow-up is required in order to prove the effectiveness of endoscopic ablation therapy for early esophageal cancer.
Eickhoff
A
A
Medical Department C, Klinikum Ludwigshafen, Academic Hospital of the University of Mainz, Germany. eickhofa@klilu.de
Jakobs
R
R
Weickert
U
U
Hartmann
D
D
Schilling
D
D
Alsenbesy
M
M
Eickhoff
J C
JC
Riemann
J F
JF
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid