Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma

Primary esophageal small cell carcinoma (PESC) is a rare, extremely aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid growth, early metastasis, and poor prognosis. This study presents a case of early-stage PESC that was initially misdiagnosed as an esophageal leiomyoma, which was observed as a submucosal...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Junjun Yan, Xifeng Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1489207/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850173222164627456
author Junjun Yan
Junjun Yan
Xifeng Xiao
author_facet Junjun Yan
Junjun Yan
Xifeng Xiao
author_sort Junjun Yan
collection DOAJ
description Primary esophageal small cell carcinoma (PESC) is a rare, extremely aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid growth, early metastasis, and poor prognosis. This study presents a case of early-stage PESC that was initially misdiagnosed as an esophageal leiomyoma, which was observed as a submucosal tumor during gastroscopy. The patient subsequently underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which successfully achieved complete tumor resection. Histopathological analysis later confirmed the diagnosis of small cell carcinoma. Subsequent treatments were recommended; however, the patient declined these options and developed systemic metastases 16 months later, indicating progression to advanced disease and a poor prognosis. This case underscores the imperative to consider PESC in the differential diagnosis of submucosal esophageal lesions, especially when clinical suspicion is elevated, despite its rarity. Additionally, it highlights the challenges associated with the diagnosis and management of submucosal PESC and emphasizes the crucial role of early diagnosis in enhancing patient prognosis and survival rates.
format Article
id doaj-art-44d2e04fb734489eae2cd070ace5d433
institution OA Journals
issn 2296-858X
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Medicine
spelling doaj-art-44d2e04fb734489eae2cd070ace5d4332025-08-20T02:19:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2024-12-011110.3389/fmed.2024.14892071489207Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyomaJunjun Yan0Junjun Yan1Xifeng Xiao2Department of Gastroenterology, Jiujiang City Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy, The First Hospital of Jiujiang City, Jiujiang, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Jiujiang City Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy, The First Hospital of Jiujiang City, Jiujiang, ChinaPrimary esophageal small cell carcinoma (PESC) is a rare, extremely aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid growth, early metastasis, and poor prognosis. This study presents a case of early-stage PESC that was initially misdiagnosed as an esophageal leiomyoma, which was observed as a submucosal tumor during gastroscopy. The patient subsequently underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which successfully achieved complete tumor resection. Histopathological analysis later confirmed the diagnosis of small cell carcinoma. Subsequent treatments were recommended; however, the patient declined these options and developed systemic metastases 16 months later, indicating progression to advanced disease and a poor prognosis. This case underscores the imperative to consider PESC in the differential diagnosis of submucosal esophageal lesions, especially when clinical suspicion is elevated, despite its rarity. Additionally, it highlights the challenges associated with the diagnosis and management of submucosal PESC and emphasizes the crucial role of early diagnosis in enhancing patient prognosis and survival rates.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1489207/fullprimary esophageal small cell carcinomasubmucosal tumorearly interventionendoscopic submucosal dissectioncase report
spellingShingle Junjun Yan
Junjun Yan
Xifeng Xiao
Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma
Frontiers in Medicine
primary esophageal small cell carcinoma
submucosal tumor
early intervention
endoscopic submucosal dissection
case report
title Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma
title_full Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma
title_fullStr Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma
title_full_unstemmed Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma
title_short Case report: A case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma
title_sort case report a case of esophageal small cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as leiomyoma
topic primary esophageal small cell carcinoma
submucosal tumor
early intervention
endoscopic submucosal dissection
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1489207/full
work_keys_str_mv AT junjunyan casereportacaseofesophagealsmallcellcarcinomamisdiagnosedasleiomyoma
AT junjunyan casereportacaseofesophagealsmallcellcarcinomamisdiagnosedasleiomyoma
AT xifengxiao casereportacaseofesophagealsmallcellcarcinomamisdiagnosedasleiomyoma