Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus with Histological Findings Suggesting Glandular Epithelial Origin

Noriaki Tanaka, Genso Kobayashi, Eiji Konaga, Yasuaki Kamikawa*, Kunzo Orita*

Department of Surgery, Iwakuni National Hospital
*First Department of Surgery, Okayama University Medical School

We presented a case of spindle cell carcinoma, a giant polypoid tumor resembling a pseudosarcoma but not combined with a squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor originated in the cervical esophagus and had grown up to 19.0×7.5 cm, compressing the trachea and leading to severe dyspnea. An emergent operation was performed, and the giant tumor was resected by cervical approach without additional thoracotomy. A glandular pattern including mucin stained with PAS and Alcian blue was observed in the tumor tissue. Tumor cells were thus considered to have derived from the glandular epithelium. This appears to be the first case in Japanese medical literatures. There were two instances of recurrence and three operations were conducted over a period of 26 months. Following a successful hypopharyngolaryngectomy with reconstruction using a free graft from the small bowel, the patient has remained well without any signs of recurrence after 13 months.

Key words
esophagus, pseudosarcoma, spindle cell carcinoma

Reprint requests
Noriaki Tanaka First Department of Surgery, Okayama University Medical School
2-5-1 Shikata, Okayama, 700 JAPAN

Accepted
December 9, 1992

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