Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: case presentation and review of the literature.

A case of primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is presented. The clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of our case and 72 other cases were reviewed. The most common presenting symptoms were weight loss and dysphagia. Eighty percent were larger than 4 cm at presentation and 97% were in the mid to distal esophagus. The esophageal tumors were identical histologically to small cell carcinoma of the lung. Esophageal luminal widening on esophagram has been found to be more common in nonsquamous cell carcinomas. While rare, small cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of primary esophageal tumors, particularly in the presence of these findings.