Superficial undifferentiated small cell carcinoma of the esophagus showing an interesting growing pattern in histology
Fukunaga, Y.; Hirata, S.; Tanimura, S.; Okawa, K.; Higashino, M.; Inoue, T.; Kobayashi, Y.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 47(32): 429-432
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 10791205 Document Number: 520149
We report a case of superficial undifferentiated small cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The histology of the tumor was interesting; there was squamous cell differentiation within the epithelial layer and undifferentiated small cells growing within the submucosal layer. The tumor had a negative Grimelius reaction, suggesting no differentiation into a hormone-producing carcinoma known as an apudoma (Amine Precursor Uptake and Decarboxylation (APUD)). The serum levels of ACTH and calcitonin were within normal limits. As the patient was elderly and had a history of pleural tuberculosis causing poor pulmonary function, and owing to the fulminant nature of this carcinoma, he underwent blunt dissection of the esophagus by posterior mediastinal gastric pull-up. The patient recovered quickly and was able to be discharged with a good quality of life until the tumor recurred as a liver metastasis 6 months later.