Metastasis within the stomach from esophageal cancer after surgery: computed tomography findings in 6 patients

Abstract

Purpose: We describe clinical and computed tomography (CT) features of intrathoracic stomach tube metastasis from esophageal cancer after surgical resection found on follow-up chest CT scans.

Methods: Medical records and postoperative CT scans were reviewed in 6 patients who had a confirmed intrathoracic stomach tube metastasis after esophageal cancer operation.

Results: All patients died 1 to 13 months (mean [SD], 5.8 [4.9] months) after the diagnosis of stomach metastasis. Computed tomography scans revealed eccentric stomach wall thickening with abnormal enhancement (n = 3) or an intramural mass with apparent intact mucosa (n = 3). Eccentric wall thickening with abnormal enhancement was located in the upper portion of the stomach tube (n = 3), and intramural mass in the lower (n = 3) with reference to the carina level. Mediastinal lymph node (9 and 10 mm, respectively) was noted in 2 patients.

Conclusions: The patients with stomach metastasis from esophageal cancer had poor prognosis. During postoperative evaluation of patients with surgically resected esophageal cancer, stomach metastasis from esophageal cancer seemed as an eccentric wall thickening with abnormal enhancement or an intramural tumor with apparent intact mucosa on CT.