Esophageal epidermoid carcinoma metastasis to the stomach

Epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus with metastasis to the stomach, diagnosed before autopsy, is very rare. The first case in Taiwan is presented. Both the epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus and stomach were the same pathologic type, were discrete and not continuous, and had not metastated from other origins. The route of metastasis seems to have been via the rich submucosal lymphatics. Although the prognosis was very poor, the 73-year-old male received operation and postoperative radiotherapy, and had lived well in the past one year and to the present. Thus transhiatal subtotal esophagectomy, total gastrectomy and reconstruction with left side colon may be the surgical treatment of choice.