Lichen planus is a fairly common chronic idiopathic disorder of the skin, nails and mucosal surfaces. Esophageal involvement of this disease on the other hand is rare and only about 50 cases have been reported in literature. Given its rarity, it can be difficult to diagnose and may be easily misdiagnosed as reflux esophagitis. Currently, there are no clear recommendations on the optimal management of this disease and little is known about the best treatment approach. Systemic steroids are usually the first line treatment and offer a favorable response. In this report, we would like to present a novel approach in the management of esophageal lichen planus in a middle-aged woman treated successfully with swallowed fluticasone propionate 220 mcg twice a day for 6 wk, as evidenced by objective clinical findings. Based on our review of related literature and experience in this patient, we feel that a trial of swallowed fluticasone may be a prudent approach in the management of these patients since it has a more favorable side effect profile than systemic treatment

The scientific literature on adenocarcinoma of the ampulla (papilla) of Vater suggests that it either represents a distinct entity or is more closely related to small bowel adenocarcinoma than to the biliary malignancies. The ambiguity surrounding this rare cancer has kindled research exploring its immunohistochemistry aspects and gene expression profiling. While the basis of management for resectable disease remains surgical intervention, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy is not clear. A recent large phase 3 clinical trial conducted in patients with resected ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma favored adjuvant chemotherapy over observation alone. The standards of therapy for the advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma and biliary cancer are fluoropyrimidine derivatives and gemcitabine-based combinations, respectively. In addition, new biologic and targeted agents may enhance clinical results seen in this cancer type. Therefore, diligently designed clinical trials are necessary to establish its optimal treatment strategies. We describe herein a patient with ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma who had an exceptional response to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy. We further include a discussion reviewing the clinicopathologic aspects of this neoplasm as well as focus on currently available and future therapeutic options.

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