Esophageal Carcinoid: Report of an Early Case and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Esophageal carcinoid tumor is a rare disease and only 8 patients with this tumor have been previously documented. This unique neoplasm usually does not produce a carcinoid syndrome, but appears to be highly malignant. We report a case of carcinoid of the esophagus which was detected in an ‘early’ stage and resected. The satisfactory management of this rare malignant tumor requires its early detection by means of an esophagogram and esophagoscopy, followed by radical esophagectomy. For the definitive diagnosis the histological evaluation must include silver impregnation; electron microscopy will help to confirm the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoid.