Simultaneous transmediastinal esophagectomy and thoracoscopic lobectomy for synchronous double cancers of the esophagus and lung: a case report

Background: Simultaneous surgery for synchronous double cancers of the esophagus and lung is so invasive that minimally invasive surgical procedures are preferred. For left lung cancer, there are few reports on simultaneous surgery due to the difficulty of performing radical esophagectomy only via the left thoracic approach and the high invasiveness of bilateral thoracotomy.

Case presentation: A 65-year-old man who was diagnosed with synchronous double cancer of the esophagus and left lung underwent transmediastinal esophagectomy (TME) and thoracoscopic lobectomy (TSL) simultaneously. This procedure is advantageous because radical esophagectomy can be completed regardless of the side affected by the lung cancer, and respiratory function can be preserved by shortening the duration of differential lung ventilation and avoiding thoracotomy.

Conclusion: This surgery could be a good treatment option for synchronous double cancers of the esophagus and lung in a highly proficient hospital.