[Stage IV small cell esophageal carcinoma that responded to various chemotherapeutic regimens with relative longevity...

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is reported to be both rare and aggressive, and is commonly associated with a short post-diagnosis survival period. We report a case of Stage IV small cell carcinoma of the esophagus involving a relatively long survival period of 2 years. The patient was a 70-year-old man with a chief complaint of epigastric discomfort. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy by a local physician showed a protruding tumor at the mid-thoracic esophagus. Tumor biopsy revealed small cell carcinoma. Chest-abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple liver metastases, and swelling of a number of regional lymph nodes. The diagnosis was cT3N4M1, cStage IVb esophageal small cell carcinoma. According to the regimen used for lung small cell carcinoma, we administered CDDP/CPT-11. After administration of four courses, the primary lesion, liver metastases, and lymph node metastases significantly reduced, indicating a partial response. However, after completion of eight courses, liver metastasis and lymph node swelling recurred. The patient subsequently received other therapeutic regimens such as CBDCA/VP-16, AMR, NGT, and CDGP/5-FU. However, the tumor gradually progressed, and the patient died approximately 2 years after the first treatment.