Achalasia or malignancy? Confirmation of the diagnosis by oesophageal manometry

Malignancy involving the gastro-oesophageal junction can present with features very similar to those of idiopathic achalasia. Failure to identify such cases may delay effective treatment of a curable tumour. We report four patients with malignant dysphagia who were initially referred for treatment of achalasia--the diagnosis based on clinical, radiographic and endoscopic findings in each case. In all four, oesophageal manometry suggested, correctly, that the diagnosis of achalasia was incorrect, allowing early surgical exploration. We suggest that the diagnosis of achalasia should be confirmed by manometric studies--particularly in elderly patients with a short history and weight loss as these features are frequently associated with malignancy.