Cytomegalovirus esophagitis developing during chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: two case reports

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.