[Primary esophageal small cell carcinoma--a report of 10 cases and review of literature].

The clinical manifestations, pathology and surgical treatment of 10 cases of primary esophageal small cell carcinoma were presented with a detailed review of literature. The 10 cases accounted for 0.7% of all esophageal carcinomas treated surgically in the same period. The major symptom was dysphagia. 50% were of exophytic type grossly (fungating or intraluminal). The microscopic findings were not different from those of small cell lung cancer. All of these 10 cases had their cancer radically resected. The one and two year survival rates were 50% and 25%, respectively. The median survival time was 15.2 months. Case 2 has been living tumor-free for 48 months. The results of surgical treatment of this rare type esophageal carcinoma was poor as compared to that of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.