[Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus--report on 8 patients]

Eight patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus, a rare tumor, were treated by radiotherapy from June 1986 to July 1989. Five of 6 patients who received a radical dose of 4200-5500 cGy/5-6 wk were living without any recurrence for 40, 38, 27, 25 and 16 months. One died of hepatic metastasis 31 months after diagnosis. Two patients who did not complete radiation therapy also died of hepatic metastasis 3 and 5 months after diagnosis. Incidence, pathologic classification, clinical manifestations and treatment are discussed with a review of literature.