[Carcinoma of the esophagus with hepatic metastasis]

Six patients with esophageal cancer with liver metastasis are reported and the clinicopathological features are discussed based on collected autopsy cases. 1) The incidence of liver metastasis was higher when the primary site was in the lower part of the esophagus. 2) There were many cases without abdominal lymphnode metastasis. 3) Metastasis was noted primarily as small nodules in the left lobe of the liver. 4) The prognosis was poor; liver metastasis was rarely the cause of death. In esophageal cancer, liver metastasis seems to occur via the portal route and combined liver resection is indicated when possible.