Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognostic factors in patients with primary small cell carcinoma (SmCC) of the esophagus.
Methods: Eighty-one esophageal SmCC patients were treated from 1999 to 2007 in our department, and their clinical data were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: Of the 81 patients, 52 (64.2%) were in limited stage (LS) and 23 (28.4%) in extensive stage (ES). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 55.6%, 6.2% and 2.5%, respectively, with a median survival time of 13.5 months for the whole group; 69.2%, 7.3% and 3.6%, respectively, with a median survival time of 15 months for the LS group; while only 25.2%, 0 and 0, respectively, with a median survival time of 6 months for the ES group. Multivariate analysis showed that disease stage, performance status, multidisciplinary comprehensive therapy and mode of treatment were independent prognostic factors.
Conclusion: Esophageal small cell carcinoma is a rare but highly aggressive malignant tumor. Disease stage and performance status are important prognostic factors. Appropriate treatment may play a key role in improving the survival of the patients.