Major pathological response after neoadjuvant immunotherapy in esophageal spindle cell carcinoma: A case report

Thorac Cancer. 2021 Apr;12(8):1234-1239. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.13905. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Abstract

Esophageal spindle cell carcinoma (ESpCC) is a rare subtype of esophageal carcinoma, accounting for 1% of all esophageal malignancies. The clinical outcome is unknown due to the lack of treatment options. Here, we present the case of a 60-year-old male with initially unresectable ESpCC, in which platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy was unsuccessful. He was subsequently treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy and after surgery achieved a complete pathological response; therefore, neoadjuvant immunotherapy might be a novel option for ESpCC patients.

Keywords: esophageal spindle cell carcinoma; immunotherapy; neoadjuvant treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / methods*