Superficial esophageal carcinoma successfully treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy

A 47-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of epigastralgia. Endoscopic examination revealed a 0-IIa + IIc lesion in the middle thoracic esophagus, and a biopsy specimen was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. The depth of the cancerous invasion was judged to be sm by endoscopic ultrasonography, and no metastasis to other organs or lymph nodes was detected. Although we believed curative resection was possible, we performed combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy because the patient refused surgery. After 2 courses of chemoradiotherapy, the cancer had disappeared clinically. We have found no evidence of recurrence for 1 year and 8 months. For the patient with superficial esophageal carcinoma who has a high risk or refuses surgery, chemoradiotherapy may be a reasonable alternative.