The diagnostic challenge of mediastinal sarcoidosis accompanying esophageal cancer

World J Surg Oncol. 2010 Mar 12:8:15. doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-8-15.

Abstract

The primary staging of an oesophageal cancer can be difficult, if accompanied by sarcoidosis. In these patients endosonography, CT and PET may not be sufficient for staging purposes concerning lymph node and distant metastases. In these special cases operative biopsies of enlarged lymph nodes and unclear pulmonary nodules have to be obtained. In connection with the radiographic examinations the histopathological results of the biopsies contribute to further precise staging and help to decide on a curative versus a palliative therapy concept.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Aged
  • Decision Making
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endosonography
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Mediastinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Mediastinal Diseases / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Palliative Care
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prognosis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoidosis / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18