Technical innovations
Cryospray ablation (CSA) in the palliative treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Brooks D Cash1, Lavonne R Johnston2 and Mark H Johnston2
1Department of Gastroenterology, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bldg 9, Department of Gastroenterology, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
2Lancaster Gastroenterology, Inc., 2112 Harrisburg Pike, Suite 202, PO Box 3200, Lancaster, PA 17604-3200, USA
Background
Esophageal carcinoma is the ninth most prevalent cancer worldwide with squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) and adenocarcinoma accounting for the vast majority of new cases (13,900 in 2003). Cure rates in the U.S. are less than 10%, similar to lung cancer. More than 50% of patients with esophageal carcinoma present with unresectable or metastatic disease, are not surgical candidates, or display disease progression despite the addition of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to surgery. Need for improved palliation exits.
Case presentation
This case describes a 73-year-old African American male who presented with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) of the esophagus who has a achieved complete remission for 24 months via endoscopic cryospray ablation.
Conclusion
Endoscopic cryo spray ablation warrants further investigation as a palliative treatment modality for esophageal cancer. This is the first reported case in the medical literature.
World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2007, 5:34. Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
Answers to all your Biology Questions
