2747 A Rare Case of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Intramural Gastric Metastasis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal cancer makes up about 1% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States . Gastric metastasis from esophageal cancer is relatively rare. Four different types of metastatic mechanisms were reported: 1) via peri-gastric lymph nodes; 2) gastric intramural metastasis; 3) direct invasion of the gastric wall, and 4) intra-epithelial spread to the gastric epithelium . Here we present a case with intramural gastric metastasis in a patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 76-year-old Indian male with past medical history significant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and coronary artery disease, recently started on aspirin and clopidogrel, presented with new onset fatigue and five days of black tarry stools. Hemoglobin (Hgb) on admission was 7.1 g/dL. Despite transfusion of one unit of packed red blood cells, repeat Hgb dropped to 6.6 g/dL. Emergent upper endoscopy was performed for suspected active gastrointestinal bleeding in the setting of blood thinner use. Endoscopy showed a 3 cm, non-bleeding, fungating and ulcerated mass in the middle third of the esophagus, as well as a 4-5 cm fungating, infiltrative and ulcerated gastric mass in the cardia with stigmata of recent bleeding (adherent clot) (see Figure 1). Removal of the clot revealed underlying oozing from the ulcer bed which was treated successfully with dilute epinephrine injection followed by hemostatic clip placement. Forceps biopsies of both the esophageal and cardia masses were obtained. Histopathology of both lesions revealed keratinized squamous cell carcinoma. CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis showed no evidence of other metastatic disease. Oncology consultation was scheduled to discuss potential chemotherapy, radiation, and endoscopic interventions. DISCUSSION: Esophageal cancer with intramural gastric metastasis is very rare compared to other mechanisms of tumor spread. The prognosis is very poor with the mean survival time reported to be 8.6 months . Conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery were ineffective in improving prognosis in current report, suggesting other techniques could provide a benefit when used adjunctively or in combination with more traditional approaches.