Early postoperative anastomotic leakage due to necrotizing candidiasis after abdomino-thoracic resection for T1 esophageal cancer

We present a case of early postoperative anastomotic leakage after abdomino-thoracic esophageal resection for cancer in a female, due to a necrotizing, transmural infection with Candida species (spp). The infection was treated successfully with redo surgery and systemic antimycotic therapy with caspofungin. The patient was disease-free at 49 month follow-up, but her long-term quality of life, as assessed by the EORTC questionnaire (QLQ C-30) was reduced. Aggressive surgical and medical therapy led to successful treatment of this rare complication.