Recurrence after curative resection for gastric cancer is high, the pattern of recurrence include haematogenous metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and local recurrence, respectively. Here we report a case with local recurrence at the beginning, and subsequent metastasis to the esophagus three month following gastroscopy. Biopsy of the nodule in the upper esophagus was taken, pathology showed the adenocarcinoma of gastric origin. CT scanning showed no thickening of upper esophagus wall, suggesting there may not be intramural metastasis. The patient had proven gastroesophageal reflux, and the liner alignment of the lesion coexisted with the route of gastroscope insertion tube. Taken together, we suggest that the esophagus metastasis was most likely though implantation caused by gastroscopy or gastroesophageal reflux.
Keywords: Gastric adenocarcinoma; esophagus; gastric reflux; gastroscopy; metastasis.