Advanced oesophageal carcinoma in an 84-year-old treated with chemoradiotherapy.

We present a case of advanced oesophageal cancer with cardiac invasion in an 84-year-old male presenting with dysphagia and general malaise. Histological analysis of an endoscopic biopsy specimen revealed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Computed tomography indicated a thickened oesophageal wall that was compressing the left atrium, suggesting invasion of the heart, and oesophagography revealed a polypoid lesion 9 cm in length. No distant metastases were seen on computed tomography. The patient was given chemotherapy with 10 mg/m2 cisplatin on days 1 and 4 every week for 5 weeks and concurrent radiotherapy at a dose of 2 Gy five times per week (total dose 52 Gy). After 4 weeks, the mass was no longer visible on oesophagography or endoscopic examination. The patient was free of recurrence and metastases for 4.5 years. In conclusion, chemoradiotherapy may be curative in elderly patients with unresectable oesophageal carcinoma.