Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a Zenker diverticulum. Issue 9 (28th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Polit, Francesca; Bahmad, Hisham F; Wahi, Jessica; Deb, Arunima; Newsome, Kevin; Howard, Lydia; Poppiti, Robert; Ben-David, Kfir; Alghamdi, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Journal of surgical case reports. Volume 2022:Issue 9(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-28
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjac458
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-8812

Abstract

Abstract: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in a Zenker diverticulum (ZD) is an extremely rare entity. Approximately 50 cases have been reported worldwide. We report a case of a 74-year-old man who presented to our institution with chronic regurgitation, dysphagia and halitosis. The patient was initially seen in 2015 at which point he reported a 10-year history of these symptoms and was diagnosed with ZD. A barium swallow was done revealing a large posterior esophageal diverticulum with significant residual contrast within the diverticulum lumen. Given these findings, he was taken for open surgical excision where a SCC was identified. Although it is extremely rare for a SCC to occur in a ZD, patients with ZD must undergo regular surveillance endoscopy of the esophagus and the diverticulum itself to identify any suspicious mass or lesion arising in within.