Endoscopic submucosal dissection combined with the placement of biodegradable stents for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy.

We report a case of a patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who presented with obstruction of the esophagus. On endoscopy, a central ulcerating lesion was found spreading to the anterior wall of the middle esophagus. Four courses of chemoradiation therapy successfully produced a complete response for 3 years. A recurrence occurred which consisted of a morphologically flat lesion that occupied the entire circumference of the esophagus. Endoscopic submucosal dissection removed all lesions en bloc. To prevent a post-procedure mucosal defect of the circumference of the esophagus, biodegradable poly-l-lactic acid monofilaments esophageal stents were placed on the same day. One month later, the patient reported a feeling of obstruction. An endoscopic examination revealed food stuck in the stents, this was removed, and balloon dilatation provided good passage which has been maintained for 7 months.