A Case of Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus with an Extremely High Serum Carcinoenbryonic Antigen Level

Abstract

We report a case of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus with extremely high serum CEA reflecting the period of recurrence and therapeutic effect. A 70-year-old man examined by upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy due to dysphagia was found in endoscopic examination to have a tumor at the upper thoracic esophagus. Histological biopsy findings indicated squamous cell carcinoma. On admission, laboratory data showed serum CEA elevated to 19 ng/ml. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and right transthoracic esophagectomy with extended lymph node dissection were done. Serum CEA decreased to normal, 2.0ng/ml, after surgery. After the first admission, he was admitted 4 more times for recurrence in lymph nodes and its invasion to an anastomosis. On each admission, serum CEA was extremely high. After chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy, serum CEA decreased along with recurrent tumor size. He died of the disease 24 months after surgery.