Carcinoma of the Esophagus and Long-term Sclerotherapy

Abstract

We report a case where a chronic non-healing esophageal ulcer which developed following a course of endoscopic sclerotherapy proved to be an esophageal carcinoma. In view of 2 similar previous reports we discuss the possibility that sclerotherapy may act as a carcinogen, and suggest that all such non-healing esophageal ulcers should be biopsied.

Esophageal carcinoma in a patient with bleeding esophageal varices

“…More than 20 cases of esophageal carcinoma have been reported as probable late complications of EIS 3 –12 . 15 , 16 Detection of early esophageal carcinoma after EIS has been relatively rare 13 .…”

“…Sclerosing agents have been suspected of being carcinogenic 5 . Some investigators proposed that the risk of esophageal cancer might be accelerated by EIS because of the impaired motility and chronic inflammation 6 .…”

“…Development of carcinoma of the esophagus as a late consequence of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for esophageal varices has been reported 3 –12 . Detection of superficial esophageal carcinoma, however, in a patient without EIS for esophageal varices seems to be relatively rare 13 .…”