Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2016 | Case report
Cytomegalovirus esophagitis developing during chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: two case reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2016
Login to get accessAbstract
Background
It is well known that cytomegalovirus esophagitis occurs in immunosuppressed patients. However, few reports have described cytomegalovirus esophagitis occurring during chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer.
Case presentation
We report two cases of patients with cytomegalovirus esophagitis that developed during chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Cytomegalovirus esophagitis was diagnosed based on the presence of intranuclear inclusions in tumor biopsy specimens. The two Japanese patients presented with anorexia and fever, which improved with anti-cytomegalovirus treatment, and intranuclear inclusions were no longer seen in the specimens.
Conclusions
The possibility of cytomegalovirus esophagitis must be kept in mind for patients with esophageal cancer presenting with prolonged fever or digestive symptoms while receiving chemoradiotherapy.