Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus after Endoscopic Variceal Sclerotherapy

We describe the case of a 45-yr-old white male with portal hypertension and presumed Laennec's cirrhosis who developed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus 8 months after completion of a course of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy. The epidemiology and natural history of esophageal cancer and their relationship to our patient are analyzed. This report emphasizes that squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postsclerotherapy dysphagia. Further studies will be required to determine whether or not esophageal variceal sclerotherapy is associated coincidently or causally with the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in patients at increased risk for this condition.