Background: Coeliac disease is known to favor the development of neoplasia. Coeliac disease associated with small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus has not been reported to date.
Case report: A 51-year-old man with coeliac disease known for several years was hospitalized for epigastric pain. Work-up led to the diagnosis of small-cell carcinoma of the lower esophagus. The patient was treated with 6 cycles of chemotherapy using an etoposide-ciplatinum protocol associated with 60 Gy radiotherapy starting at the third cycle. The patient has remained in complete remission 2 years after diagnosis.
Discussion: Small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus is an exceptional finding in a patient with coeliac disease. Chemotherapy associated with radiotherapy has been successful in our patient.