Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: case report and literature review
Beiduo Shen1, Zhaoyu Ba1, Yufeng Huang2
1Department of Spine Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, 200120, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) of malignant tumors rarely happens. To the best of our knowledge, only five cases of ISCM from esophageal cancer have been reported in literature. We here report the sixth descripted case of ISCM from esophageal cancer.
Case Presentation:
A 68-year-old male presented with weakness of right limbs and localized neck pain two years after diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The gadolinium enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical spine showed a mixed-intense intramedullary tumor with typical more intense thin rim of peripheral enhancement in C4-C5. The patient died fifteen days after diagnosis of irreversible respiratory and circulatory failures. An autopsy was refused by his family.
Conclusions:
This case highlights the importance of gadolinium enhanced MRI for diagnosis in ISCM. We believe that early diagnosis and surgery for selected patients shows helpfulness to save their neurologic function and improve quality of life.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
01:30Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...