Isolated Esophageal İnvolvement in Pemphigus Vulgaris Confused with Esophageal Cancer

Abstract

Pemphigus is a disease characterized by the formation of intraepithelial blisters due to acantholysis caused by immunoglobulin G antibodies against the keratinocyte cell surface holding the mucous membranes and skin. While the oral mucosa is the most affected region, all body cells with multilayered horizontal epithelia such as the conjunctiva, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, vagina, penis, and anus might be affected. Although few pemphigus cases with esophageal involvement have been reported, the incidence of actual involvement is thought to be higher. Our case was guided by an external endoscopy center because of the appearance of esophagus cancer. This pre-diagnosis was excluded in the endoscopic biopsy, and lesions regressed entirely with the treatment given for pemphigus. The co-existence of pemphigus vulgaris and esophagus squamous cell carcinoma has been reported. However, it has not been previously reported that the esophageal involvement of pemphigus, as in our case, has been confused with esophageal cancer. In this case report, we present a pemphigus case with isolated esophageal involvement in a pemphigus patient in clinical remission. We found it worthy of presentation because of the confusion with esophageal cancer due to an endoscopy result from an external center.

Keywords

• pemphigus
• dysphagia
• esophageal involvement
• endoscopy