Superficial esophageal carcinoma in achalasia, detected by endoscopic surveillance

A 42 year old woman had undergone a Heller myotomy for achalasia of the cardia at age 28. Thereafter, she had become asymptomatic but reported for endoscopic follow-up examinations at three-yearly intervals. Fourteen years after surgery, endoscopy and biopsy revealed "carcinoma in situ" in the proximal esophagus and surgery was recommended. In the resected specimen, a circumscribed area of cancer was demonstrated that invaded the lamina propria but was confined to the mucosa. With the exception of mild and transient postoperative dysphagia, she had an uneventful postoperative course and remains well 16 months following surgery. This case demonstrates that endoscopic surveillance may detect early malignant changes in the achalasic esophagus and may possibly lead to an improvement in survival.