Achalasia leading to diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus

Abstract

A 50-year-old male with a 7 month history of progressive dysphagia to solids then subsequently to liquids. He underwent a diagnostic gastroscopy which was normal. A further barium swallow suggested achalasia. He was referred to a tertiary centre, where he underwent pH and manometry studies which confirmed a diagnosis of achalasia. He was referred for a laparoscopic cardiomyotomy, and at surgery there was a suspected tumour at the gastro-oesophageal junction. A follow-up endoscopy with biopsies was normal. Following this, a positron emission tomography scan showed T3 distal oesophageal cancer with no nodal involvement or distal metastasis. An attempt at oesophagectomy was performed, but at operation there was locally advanced carcinoma infiltrating the coeliac axis. He is currently undergoing palliative chemotherapy.