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.