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[Purpose] There are few reports regarding the clinical characteristics of patients with brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer.In this study,we reviewed our patients of brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer.[Patients and Methods] From August 2002 to August 2012,consecutive patients diagnosed with brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer and treated with radiotherapy in each institution were included.Clinical features, diagnostic findings and survival were analyzed.[Results] Six patients treated with brain radiotherapy were identified.The median age was 64 (range 61~74) years old.All patients had neurological impairments.Among these six patients,three had cerebellum,brain stem or spinal cord metastases.Brain metastases were detected when they were initially diagnosed as an esophageal cancer in two patients.In three patients,MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) findings were available after radiotherapy and all confirmed a significant response to treatment.The median overall survival from small-cell carcinoma was 6.0 months.During the same period,43 with squamous cell carcinoma and 7 with adenocarcinoma who had brain metastases were identified.Survival for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma patients who had brain metastases were 5.5 months and 4.2 months,respectively.There was no significant difference in overall survival according to the histological type.[Conclusions] Brain metastases from small-cell esophageal cancer tend to spread to not cerebrum but cerebellum or meninges and impair their quality of life.Brain radiotherapy had a positive effect in this patient cohort, however, shorter overall survival rates are noted.