Esophageal Carcinoma and Coexisting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Resected Simultaneously

We have experience with two cases in which esophageal carcinoma and coexisting hepatocellular carcinoma were resected simultaneously. One patient had advanced esophageal carcinoma located in the thoracic esophagus and solitary hepatoma in the posterior segment of the liver with normal liver function. The other patient had superficial esophageal carcinoma in the thoracic esophagus and solitary hepatoma in the posterior segment of the liver with impaired liver function. Subtotal resection of the esophagus and posterior segmentectomy of the liver were performed simultaneously in both patients. In the patient with impaired liver function, postoperative management of respiration and bleeding was difficult, and intensive care was needed. Mediastinal lymph node resection was modified. Postoperative course was considered to have a close relationship to liver function. Thus, close evaluation of liver function is important to decide suitable treatment of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and coexisting malignant neoplasms. With close evaluation of liver function and intensive postoperative care, simultaneous resection of esophageal carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma is not impossible or difficult. (Arch Surg. 1996;131:208-210)