Ten year survival after excision of squamous cell cancer in Zenker's diverticulum: report of a case

BACKGROUND: Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) has been increasingly recognized as a site of primary epithelial malignancy. Pitt in 1896 described the first case. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2005, 30 patients affected of esophageal diverticulum were referred to our Department. RESULTS: The pathological results revealed one case of squamous cell carcinoma. On follow-up 10 years after diverticulectomy alone, the patient was alive and well without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our case reported provides additional data on clinical decision when the tumor is well localized without full-thickness penetration or extension to the line of resection. In this patient, long-term survival and apparent disease control have been effected by diverticulectomy alone. A case of such long survival is very rare.