Gastric cancer previously treated by gastrectomy recurred as metastases to the esophageal wall, and well managed by chemotherapy: A report of a case

A 72-year-old man with gastric cancer (type 2 in upper third of the stomach) that did not have obvious invasion to the esophagus underwent total gastrectomy by celiotomy. Pathological examination detected no cancer cells at the oral margin. However, thereafter, he complained of choked sensation, and endoscopy revealed narrowing of the anastomosis, and a bulging lesion on the immediately oral side. Despite repeated balloon procedure applications and biopsy, no malignant cells were detected. We had observed morphologic changes in the lesions for 7 months until a biopsy after local administration of ethanol revealed metastatic lesions in the esophageal wall, leading to a definitive diagnosis. He responded to chemotherapy conspicuously, and is living at present without recurrence thrugh 26 months passed after the recurrence. Since it is quite rare that gastric cancers that don't have obvious invasion to the esophagus recur as metastatic cancer in the esophageal wall, we will report this case, making reference to the literature.