[Transhiatal esophagectomy in esophageal carcinoma and subsequent lung carcinoma 6 years later]

The author describes an interesting case primary oesophageal carcinoma. Well differentiated spinocellular carcinoma of the middle third of the oesophagus (T1 N0 MX stage) was diagnosed in a 42-year-old male. He underwent transhiatal oesophagectomy without thoracotomy with a survival period of over 6 year with no relapse. During the last 2 months he developed serious psychiatric and neurological symptoms and neurosurgical craniotomy was performed. The operation presented a metastases of alveolar lung carcinoma in the cerebrum. The primary source was not localised but autopsy revealed a small carcinoma of the left lung with metastases in the cerebellum and basal brain structures causing death. There were no signs of relapse of oesophageal carcinoma during the period after oesophagectomy verified by autopsy. Survival the period after operation was 6 years, 2 months and 2 weeks. Death was caused by subsequent lung carcinoma.