Long-term survival in a patient with verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus

A 66-yr-old white male with a long-standing history of gastroesophageal reflux and Barrett's esophagus developed squamous cell dysplasia proximal to the site of the metaplastic epithelium. Two months later, he presented with progressive dysphagia. Upper endoscopy revealed near obliteration of the lumen from a large friable mass in the distal esophagus. Repeat endoscopic biopsies revealed areas of focal dysplasia but were inconclusive for the presence of malignancy. At surgery, a large inflammatory fibrotic mass was resected that was confirmed histologically to be a verrucous squamous cell carcinoma. Twenty-two months after the resection, there is no evidence of tumor recurrence. The case and relevant literature is discussed.