Long-Segment Early Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Proximal Esophagus: Curative Treatment and Long-Term Follow-Up after 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA)-Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment for the ablation of dysplastic Barrett’s epithelium and early esophageal carcinoma, but no data have been published on curative 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-PDT for long-segment early esophageal cancer with infiltration of the upper sphincter. We describe successful curative treatment of an unusual early long-segment squamous cell carcinoma (uT1a,N0) of the proximal esophagus (18 - 28 cm aborally), with three sessions of 5-ALA-PDT. Endoscopic and endosonographic follow-up macroscopically showed a complete remission of the tumor, proven by biopsy showing total histological ablation. After a follow-up period of 23 months, there has been no indication of tumor recurrence. Early superficial (< 3 mm) squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus can be ablated completely by 5-ALA-PDT. However, long-term follow-up is required in order to prove the effectiveness of endoscopic ablation therapy for early esophageal cancer.

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