Effective chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the esophagus

This article documents the use of chemotherapy in a case of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus with multiple liver and lymph node metastases. A multi-drug regimen was used and included cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (CDDP), VP-16, vincristine (VCR), adriamycin (ADM), and cyclophosphamide (CPA). After chemotherapy, the esophageal tumor disappeared, and liver masses reduced in number and degenerated. Nine months later, however, the patient died of brain metastases. It was concluded that radiotherapy should be given to the brain for the prophylaxis of tumor relapse.