Basaloid-squamous carcinoma of the esophagus -Report of a Case

Abstract

A 79-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of poor appetite. Upper GI endoscopy revealed a tumor protruding into the anterior wall of the esophagus, 32 cm below the incisor, with mucosal lesions on the tumor which did not stain with iodine. Histological examination of biopsy specimens showed squamous cell carcinoma. A subtotal esophagectomy was performed. On histological examination of the resected specimen, the protruding tumor was found to be basaloid-squamous carcinoma (BSC), and the mucosal lesions were squamous cell carcinoma. This patient died of pleural recurrence of BSC, 5 months after the operation. Preoperative diagnosis of BSC of the esophagus is difficult, because the tumor is usually covered with normal mucosa. The prognosis of patients with BSC of the esophagus is dismal. Establishment of effective treatment for BSC is mandatory to improve it.