Esophagitis dissecans superficialis with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

• Main Authors: Alexis Coolidge, Nicolette Juliana Rodriguez, Mark Pomerantz, Shilpa Grover
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-03-01
• Series: Current Problems in Cancer: Case Reports
• Subjects: Esophagitis dissecans superficialis; Immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity; Esophagogastroduodenoscopy; Immune related adverse events
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666621920300442

Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent an important advance in cancer treatment, but immune mediated adverse events associated with their use can be severe and life-threatening. Esophagitis dissecans superficialis, a rare condition of the esophagus characterized by diffuse desquamation and sloughing of the superficial esophageal mucosal lining, has not previously been reported with immune checkpoint inhibitor use. The concerning appearance of esophagitis dissecans superficialis may lead oncologists to stop therapy due to concern for toxicity. We present a case report of a patient who developed esophagitis dissecans superficialis after treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor that resolved without permanent discontinuation of the immune checkpoint inhibitor.