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 »  Introduction
 »  Case Report
 »  Discussion
 »  References

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CASE REPORT
Year : 2004  |  Volume : 52  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 492-493

Brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma


Radiotherapy Department of Besat Nehaja Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Date of Acceptance21-Feb-2004

Correspondence Address:
Radiotherapy Department of Besat Nehaja Hospital, Tehran, Iran
[email protected]

 » Abstract 

Brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma is rare. In our center, among 301 cases of esophageal cancer referred for radiotherapy during a 14-year period, brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma was detected in one case. An unusual case of esophageal carcinoma that presented with brain metastasis is reported.

How to cite this article:
Almasi S, Bashashati M, Rezaei N, Markazi-Moghaddam N. Brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma . Neurol India 2004;52:492-3


How to cite this URL:
Almasi S, Bashashati M, Rezaei N, Markazi-Moghaddam N. Brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma . Neurol India [serial online] 2004 [cited 2023 Mar 28];52:492-3. Available from: https://www.neurologyindia.com/text.asp?2004/52/4/492/13608



 » Introduction Top


Brain metastasis from primary neoplasms, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and leukemia is relatively common[1] but metastasis from esophageal carcinoma is rare.[1],[2],[3],[4] Recently, advances in neuroimaging and the increased survival of these patients have led to more frequent and earlier detection of brain metastasis. With these advances, clinical reports of brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma have increased gradually.[5],[6],[7],[8]

In Besat Hospital (Tehran, Iran), among 301 cases of esophageal cancer referred for radiotherapy during a 14-year period (1990-2003), brain metastasis has been detected in only one case. We describe herein this case.


 » Case Report Top


A 52-year-old man was subjected to chemo-radiotherapy, due to an esophageal carcinoma in September 2002. He had presented with history of progressive dysphagia for one year. Investigations revealed an esophageal mass [Figure - 1] and a squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed by pathologic study of endoscope-guided biopsy. External radiotherapy to anterior and posterior aspects of the neck and mediastinum was given. A tumor dose of 5000 cGy in 20-fractions was delivered by linear accelerator 6 Mev units over a two-month period. Also, seven doses of chemotherapy with cisplatin (80 mg) and methotroxate (60 mg) was given during a seven-month period. After the radiotherapy and chemotherapy courses, barium swallow radiograph showed small diverticula at the mid-zone of the esophagus with minimal irregularity at this area. No stricture was seen and deglutition phenomena were normal [Figure - 2].

The patient complained of severe and progressively increasing headache in the frontal area in June 2003, approximately nine months after the diagnosis of esophageal cancer was made. The patient's performance status was diminished. There were no signs of other organ (liver, lungs and bones) involvement. In the physical examination, a 9-kilogram weight loss from the first visit was detected. In the left supraclavicular area a 5 x 5 cm firm mass, attached to the surrounding tissues was detected, suggesting lymph node metastasis. The chest expansion was limited and the respiratory sounds were decreased suggesting the presence of mediastinal widening. There was no other positive finding in the systemic examination. CT scan of the brain demonstrated a lobulated mass lesion of the left frontal lobe with severe surrounding edema and collapse of the ipsilateral ventricular system [Figure - 3]. Brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma was clinically diagnosed as per the CT scan findings, and no biopsy was taken for pathologic confirmation. The chest X-ray did not reveal any mass lesion in the lungs.

Two opposite field palliative whole brain radiotherapy with the tumor dose of 4000 cGy was delivered in 16-fractions over a 3-week period. The patient did not come to our hospital for further follow-up and he expired with severe respiratory distress 3 months later.


 » Discussion Top


Most recent reports have indicated that the incidence of brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma has been approximately 1.5%.[5],[6] In general, brain metastasis originates in the lung from either a primary or a secondary lung neoplasm. However, patients with brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma commonly have no lung metastasis and the most recent reports have indicated that only 15-30% of patients had lung metastasis at the time of diagnosis of brain metastasis.[5],[6] One of the reasons for this may be that the lung metastases are too small to be identified radiologically. Another reason may be a possible pathway through the vertebral venous system (Batson's plexus).[9]

The most common histology in both primary tumor and brain metastasis was adenocarcinoma in the United States,[5],[8] while the most common histology in our country and Japan was squamous cell carcinoma.[6],[10] Therefore, it is not possible to conclude from these data that histology, in itself, is a risk factor for brain metastasis.[5] Although large primary tumors have been indicated as a risk factor,[6],[8] this data was unavailable in our case.

Most of the reports have indicated that esophageal cancer patients who developed brain metastasis, in general, have poor prognosis (median survival ranged from 3.6 to 3.9 months).[5],[6],[7] Recent reports have indicated that longer survival of patients with single brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma (9.6 months) was observed with surgical resection and whole brain radiotherapy.[5] In selected patients who may benefit from effective local tumor control in the brain, such multimodal treatment may provide better results.[5],[6],[7] 

 » References Top

1.Bulmaceda CM. Metastatic tumors. In: Rowland LP, editor. Merritt's Neurology. USA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000. p. 376-88.  Back to cited text no. 1    
2.Victor M, Ropper AH. Intracranial neoplasms and paraneoplastics disorders. In: Victor M, Ropper AH, editors. Adams and Victors: Principles of Neurology. USA: Mc Grow-Hill; 2001. p. 676-733.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3.Biswal BM, Lal P. Brain metastasis as first presentation on carcinoma of the oesophagus- A case report. Ind J Med Sci 1995;49:210-1.  Back to cited text no. 3  [PUBMED]  
4.Sueyama H, Yamanoi T, Uematu T, Saitou M, Sakai K, Sugita T, et al. Brain Metastases from Esophageal Cancers: Clinical features and treatment results. Nippon Acta Radiologica 2001;61:534-9.  Back to cited text no. 4  [PUBMED]  
5.Weinberg JS, Suki D, Hanbali F, Cohen ZR, Lenzi R, Sawaya R. Metastasis of esophageal carcinoma to the brain. Cancer 2003;98:1925-33.  Back to cited text no. 5    
6.Ogawa K, Toita T, Sueyama H, Fuwa N, Kakinohana Y, Kamata M, et al. Brain metastases from esophageal carcinoma: natural history, prognostic factors, and outcome. Cancer 2002;94:759-64.  Back to cited text no. 6  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
7.Khuntia D, Sajja R, Chidel MA, lee SY, Rice TW, Adelstein DJ, et al. Factors associated with improved survival in patients with brain metastases from esophageal cancer: A retrospective review. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2003;2:267-72.  Back to cited text no. 7  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
8.Gabrielsen TO, Eldevik P, Orringer MB, Marshall BL. Esophageal carcinoma metastatic to the brain: Clinical value and cost-effectiveness of routine enhanced head CT before esophagectomy. Am J Neuroradiol 1995;16:1915-21.  Back to cited text no. 8    
9.Young B, Patchell RA. Brain metastasis. In: Youmans JR, editor. Youmans Neurological Surgery. USA: W.B. Saunders Company; 1996. p. 2748-60.  Back to cited text no. 9    
10.Parvin S, Firouz S. A study of 415 cases of esophageal carcinoma in northwest of Iran. Med J Malaysia 2003;58:429-31.  Back to cited text no. 10  [PUBMED]  

 

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