[Undifferentiated small cell (oat cell) carcinoma of the esophagus]

A case of small cell carcinoma (oat cell) of the esophagus is presented. Esophagectomy and gastroplasty were performed followed by six cycles of combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recovery was uneventful. The patient died nine months later with widespread disease. Literature is reviewed. To date, about 100 cases of this rare tumor have been reported. The aggressive behavior of the tumor is stressed and the different therapeutic modalities are discussed.