Long-term survival for advanced esophageal cancer patients with an esophago-bronchial fistula can be achieved by timely multimodality therapy

We reported four consecutive advanced esophageal cancer patients with esophago-bronchial fistula (EBF) who were managed well and achieved long-term survival with timely multimodality therapy including bypass operation. Eighty-four patients with esophageal cancer located in the upper or middle esophagus who were treated in our institute from 2005 to 2013 were diagnosed with cT4 at the time of admission. Eight (9.5 %) of those 84 cT4 patients developed the esophago-bronchial/tracheal fistula. Out of eight patients, four (50 %) who responded to prior chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy received esophageal bypass operations to manage their QOL and continue the following therapy. Not only nutrition and quality of life but also fighting spirit were maintained by allowing oral intake and resulted in completion of postoperative chemoradiotherapy in all 4 patients. Multimodality treatment including a bypass operation provided high QOL and long-term survival even in advanced esophageal cancer patients with EBFs.