Fatal hemorrhage complicating carcinoma of the esophagus. Report of four cases.

Four cases of esophageal carcinoma complicated by fatal hemorrhage are reported. All four patients had recently completed radiation therapy. An aortoesophageal fistula was present in two cases; fibrinoid necrosis of the esophageal arteries was present in the other two. The esophageal tumor was localized in two cases and had disappeared in one case. In one patient it had metastasized widely. Ninety-nine other reports of esophageal cancer and fatal hemorrhage are reviewed from the literature. Aortoesophageal fistula was the cause of hemorrhage in 78 cases. Occlusion of the vasa vasorum by thrombosis, inflammation, neoplastic cells or radiation injury appears to be the cause of aortic necrosis and fistula formation. Prompt surgical approach, if possible, should be used to control hemorrhage, as the primary tumor may be localized to the esophagus only.