Radiotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Concomitant With Hypoproteinemia: a Case Report
Abstract Background: Malignant tumors frequently combined with hyperfibrinogenemia, rarely with hypofibrinogenemia.Case presentation: This study reports a 60-year-old male patient of mid-thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with hypofibrinogenemia who presented at our hospital because of a swallowing disorder and dull pain in the upper abdomen. An initial test indicated his plasma fibrinogen (FIB) level was 0.88 g/L (reference range: 2.38–4.98 g/L). After multiple infusions of fresh plasma and supplements of FIB and cryoprecipitate, he maintained a FIB level above 1.0 g/L. We administered radical radiotherapy (RT) for the ESCC, and his FIB level gradually normalized during the RT period. The symptoms from ESCC gradually resolved, and we classified the patient as having stable disease at the end of the RT period. After 10 months follow-up, the patient have achieved partial response (PR). At that time, the patient had no increased tendency for bleeding and his FIB level was 0.97 g/L. At the last follow-up, the patient has survival about 18 months. Conclusions: it was considered the hypofibrinogenemia in this ESCC patient to be a consequence of paraneoplastic syndrome.