Aims: Few studies have examined the clinical characteristics of patients with brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer. In this study, we review the clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer.
Patients and methods: From August 2002 to August 2012, consecutive patients diagnosed with brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer and treated with radiotherapy were enrolled. Clinical features, diagnostic findings, and survival were analyzed.
Results: Six patients treated with brain radiotherapy were identified. The median age was 64 (range 61-74) years. All patients had neurological impairments. Three patients had supra- and infra-tentorial metastases, and three patients had cerebrum metastases. Brain metastases were detected when esophageal cancer was initially diagnosed in two patients. In three patients, magnetic resonance imaging findings after radiotherapy confirmed a significant response to treatment. The median overall survival was 6.0 months. During the same period, 43 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and seven patients with adenocarcinoma who had brain metastases were identified. Survival periods for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma patients who had brain metastases were 5.5 months and 4.2 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival according to the histological type.
Conclusions: Brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer tend to spread to the cerebellum and impair patients' quality-of-life. Brain radiotherapy had a positive effect in this case series; however, overall survival remains short.