Late development of esophageal stricture following radiation and chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the lung: A case report

BACKGROUND: The development of esophageal stricture is not an uncommon side effect of radiation and chemotherapy for neck and thoracic malignancies. Depending on the study, it may occur anywhere from 2–3 weeks to 4–8 months after therapy. However, chronic late presentations of post-treatment stricture are highly atypical events. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors describe herein an unusual case of a 65 year old male with esophageal stricture presenting as dysphagia and complicated by multiple episodes of aspiration pneumonia four years after chemoradiation treatment for small cell carcinoma of the lung. The patient's symptoms were ameliorated after esophageal dilation with stenting. CONCLUSION: Latent esophageal stricture should be suspected in any patient previously treated with radiation and chemotherapy regardless of how long ago the therapy was initiated.