Fewer than 1% of all lymphomas involve the esophagus; however, lymphoma of the esophagus represents an important cause of dysphagia. This study reviewed all cases of biopsy-proven lymphoma involving the esophagus presenting at our institution between 1945 and 1992. Twenty-seven cases were identified. Three were primary esophageal lymphomas. Eleven percent of the cases represented Hodgkin's disease. Eighty-nine percent were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Eighty-nine percent of the patients experienced dysphagia. Eleven lymphomas (41%) were located at the gastroesophageal junction, while the other 17 were in the esophagus proper. Seven of these cases occurred at relapse. Three had mediastinal adenopathy with secondary esophageal involvement Morbidity included tracheoesophageal fistula in 22%, and surgical repair was performed in half of these cases. Vocal cord paralysis occurred in 22%, with minimal sequelae. Esophageal stricture was present in 30%, usually necessitating dilation. The presentation, diagnosis, and management of this problem are multidisciplinary.
