Verrucous squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus: a rare tumour with a typical presentation

Abstract Introduction Verrucous squamous cell carcinoma is a rare tumour of the oesophagus with a few reported cases in the literature. While it is an uncommon malignancy, the natural history is substantially more favourable compared to adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. A pre-operative tumour biopsy with unyielding results is not uncommon for this type of tumour. In the following report, we present a patient with this malignancy to outline the salient aspects of the clinical management of patients with verrucous squamous cell carcinoma. Case Report This is a report of a 65-year-old male who presented with dysphagia to solids and 20 pound weight lost. Multiple esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) showed a large fungating partially obstructing mass in his distal oesophagus with multiple biopsies which were negative for malignancy. Due to the symptomatic nature of the mass and the concern for malignancy, he underwent minimally invasive transhiatal esophagectomy. Final pathology revealed a rare type of oesophageal cancer called verrucous squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion Verrucous squamous cell carcinoma is rare, but it has a typical presentation. Resection with follow up similar to squamous-cell carcinoma tumours is typically undertaken for verrucous squamous cell carcinoma.