Sensory Neuropathy Associated With Carcinoma of the Esophagus: Report of a Case

A L T H O U G H it is well recognized that degenerations in the peripheral and cen-tral nervous systems may accompany carcinoma in the absence of malignant metastases,1-6 no further histologically proved cases of sensory neuropathy have been reported since those of Denny Brown, both of which occurred with carcinoma of a bronchus. In these he described a primary degeneration of the cells of the dorsal root ganglia, with degeneration of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord, dorsal nerve roots and of a large proportion of fibers of those peripheral nerves which were examined. In addition, there was an apparent primary degeneration of the voluntary muscles. A third case of sensory neuropathy is recorded below, occurring in association with carcinoma arising at the upper end of the esophagus. CASE REPORT A 54 year old male complained of discomfort in the throat and hoarseness dating from July, 1949; as the result of subsequent investigations, including biopsy in April, 1950, a diagnosis of carcinoma in the region of the left pyriform fossa was made. Previously, amputation of the right leg had been performed in 1902 for osteo-