Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the esophagus are extremely rare, aggressive and have a poor prognosis. Combined therapy using chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or surgery appear effective. Here, we present a patient with a complaint of dysphagia who was diagnosed with this rare tumor. Upper gastrointestinal endoscope of a 46-year-old female revealed a localized ulcerative lesion in the middle esophagus. Histologic exam of biopsy specimens indicated a neuroendocrine carcinoma. The tumor cells were arranged in microtubular structures, with small and round cells containing scanty cytoplasm. They were positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A on immunohistochemical staining. A computed tomography scan showed an esophageal tumor with enlarged superior mediastinal lymph nodes and about 1.2 cm sized liver metastasis, similar to findings in PET-CT scanning. The patient was prescribed chemotherapy consisting of etoposide and cisplatin, which led to regression of disease on follow-up imaging study. She continues under clinical observation. We seek to increase awareness of this exceedingly rare but hazardous disease by sharing our unexpected finding.
Go to : 

References
1. Lee CG, Lim YJ, Park SJ, et al. The clinical features and treatment modality of esophageal neuroendocrine tumors: a multicenter study in Korea. BMC Cancer. 2014; 14:569.


2. Cho MY, Kim JM, Sohn JH, et al. Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of Korean Society of Pathologists. Current trends of the incidence and pathological diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) in Korea 2000–2009: multicenter study. Cancer Res Treat. 2012; 44:157–165.


3. Hoang MP, Hobbs CM, Sobin LH, Albores-Saavedra J. Carcinoid tumor of the esophagus: a clinicopathologic study of four cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2002; 26:517–522.
4. Huang Q, Wu H, Nie L, et al. Primary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 42 resection cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2013; 37:467–483.
5. Casas F, Ferrer F, Farrús B, Casals J, Biete A. Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a review of the literature with emphasis on therapy and prognosis. Cancer. 1997; 80:1366–1372.
6. Maru DM, Khurana H, Rashid A, et al. Retrospective study of clinicopathologic features and prognosis of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus. Am J Surg Pathol. 2008; 32:1404–1411.


7. Watson KJ, Shulkes A, Smallwood RA, et al. Watery diarrhea-hy-pokalemia-achlorhydria syndrome and carcinoma of the esophagus. Gastroenterology. 1985; 88:798–803.


8. Hudson E, Powell J, Mukherjee S, et al. Small cell oesophageal carcinoma: an institutional experience and review of the literature. Br J Cancer. 2007; 96:708–711.


Go to : 

![]() | Fig. 1.(A) Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a localized ulcerative lesion in the esophagus. (B) The primary tumor of the esophagus diminished after chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation therapy. |
![]() | Fig. 2.Microscopic findings (×200). (A) Cytology H&E; (B) synap-tophysin; (C) chromogranin A. |