Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus

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Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus is a very rare entity characterized by poor prognosis. Two new cases with clinicopathological characteristics are presented. In both female patients aged 62 and 66 who suffered from dysphagia for a few months, subtotal esophagectomy with lymph nodes dissection was performed. The final diagnosis was based on the pathological examination of surgical specimens. The morphology of tumors was typical with additional squamous cell carcinoma component inone case. Characteristic neuroendocrine granules were also revealed in electron microscope. Neoplastic cells were positive forpancytokeratin, chromogranin A and synaptophysin. Infiltration into the esophageal adventitia with vessel invasion andinvolvement of multiple regional lymph nodes was observed. The patients have died respectively nine and four months after the operation.