The differential diagnosis of odynophagia in patients with malignant disorders usually includes esophagitis due to herpes, Candida, or gastroesophageal reflux. Two cases and a review of the literature are presented that illustrate that leukemic infiltration of the esophagus and necrosis of the esophageal mucosa following chemotherapy should be considered in addition to the more commonly recognized causes. Esophagoscopy with biopsy and brushing for fungal stains is essential for the correct diagnosis since the various causes for odynophagia may be clinically and radiographically indistinguishable.
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Slee et al. (1985) studied this question.
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