Undifferentiated Carcinoma Of Esophagus Research Articles

Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Esophagus with SMARCA4 Deletion Expressing Synaptophysin: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall.

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus is an entity that is included in WHO classification of digestive systems fifth edition (2018). The definition of this entity is a malignant esophageal epithelial tumor that lacks definite microscopic features of squamous, glandular, or neuroendocrine differentiation. It is a challenging diagnosis to make due to lack of diagnostic criteria. We report a case from a 45 years old man with a mass in the lower third of esophagus. Biopsy showed an epitheloid neoplasm with sheet like growth pattern and no glandular formation. The tumor cells had prominent nucleoli and indistinct cell borders. There were occasional rhabdoid cells. By immunostains, tumor cells were focally positive for pankeratin, keratin 7, synaptophysin, negative for CDX2 and p40, INSM1, chromogranin, and CD56. Background intestinal metaplasia (Barrett esophagus) was present. Next generation sequencing of the tumor revealed SMARCA4 deep deletion. The tumor showed loss of SMARCA4 by immunostain. This case demonstrates that undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus with SMARCA4 deletion can express synaptophysin. Awareness of this entity is important for the correct classification of this tumor.

A rare cause of esophageal stricture: undifferentiated carcinoma of the lower esophagus

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus (UEC) is an uncommon esophageal malignancy. Patient with UEC has a notably poor prognosis because of extensive metastasis despite at the early stage. A standard treatment regimen for UEC has not yet been established. We reported a case of undifferentiated carcinoma in a 46 years old male with a common chief complaint of progressive dysphagia accompanied by chest discomfort after meal and significant weight loss. Base on the history of illness, physical examination, imaging, and histopathology we concluded that the patient was diagnosed with UEC at the gastroesophageal junction. The patient the received chemoradiotherapy of CDDP + 5-FU along with radiation, but declined the temporary gastrostomy as nutritional intervention. Esophageal undifferentiated carcinomas are rare neoplasms and often associated with locoregional recurrence and/or distant metastasis. Multidisciplinary involvement for the treatment of this disease is necessary to obtain a better outcome.